Laser Biosensor as for Pregnancy Test by Using Photonic Crystal Fiber

The use of laser and optoelectronics concepts to develop biological detection systems is the goal of this work. A biosensor based on one of the interferometer techniques, Mach-Zhender interferometer (MZI) technique, and the using of the laser beam is developed for pregnancy detection or pregnancy hormone, Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), increasing. A part of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with 3 different lengths (1.5 cm, 1.0 cm, and 0.5 cm) has been collapsed with 2 conventional single mode fibers (SMFs) to achieve MZI technique, Micro-holes collapsing and make high sensitive regions for the optical properties (refractive index and absorption) in the urine sample. This type of laser biosensor depends on light intensity measurement through a modified optical fiber. The sensing region is immersed in different urine samples of pregnant female and non-pregnant female. Biological changes in the urine sample due to the HCG increasing lead to a change in the optical properties (refractive index and absorption) of the urine sample. The results showed that the increasing of pregnancy hormones leads to an increase in the refractive index for a urine sample and a decrease in the intensity of the output laser beam. From this test, the calibration curve of laser biosensor for a pregnancy test or pregnancy detection has been found. The sensitivities of the laser biosensor with a refractive index in the range (1.33864-1.34257) at (1.5 cm, 1.0 cm, and 0.5 cm) PCF length are 61.142 ABS/ RIU, 4.5132 ABS/RIU and 2.888 ABS/RIU, respectively. Thus, the highest sensitivity was found for the (1.5 cm) photonic crystal fiber length.

Investigation of antibacterial activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of mentha pulegium L.

With regard to the rapid emerging antibiotic resistance bacteria, plants as one of the most common natural sources of antimicrobial agents can be used as alternative for treatment of infectious diseases. This study was designed to investigate antibacterial activity of Mentha pulegium L. [Lamiaceae family]. In this experimental study, the antibacterial effect of 4, 8, 16 and 24 mg/disc of alcoholic extracts were assessed using standard disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] were also determined. Furthermore, the structural changes following to the exposure with these extracts were also investigated in test bacteria. Both extracts of this plant showed considerable antibacterial activity against some Gram positive [Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus] and also Gram negative [Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis] bacteria. All of the tested bacteria were resistant to nafcillin. The maximum effects was observed in the case of both ethanolic and methanolic extracts in all concentrations on P. mirabilis [25 mm] and the lowest effect was on P. aeruginosa. MIC and MBC values of both extracts against S. aureus were equal [MIC=MBC=8 mg/mL] and P. mirabilis were MIC=4 mg/mL and MBC=8 mg/mL. The SEM analysis revealed deformation and cell wall disruption of affected bacteria. Based on these results it can be suggested that M. pulegium L. is an effective antibacterial plant that can be used as a new source for antibiotic discovery against bacterial pathogens especially food poisoning pathogens such as S. aureus, B. cereus and also for treatment of P. mirabilis infection

Effect of [urografin] on left ventriular diastolic and renal functions after cardiac catheterization

is to evaluate the effects of iodinated contrast media "urografin" on kidney functions and left ventricular diastolic function indices in patients underwent coronary angiography. It included 100 patients with normal kidney function 57 male [57%] and 43 female [43%]. The patients are classified into four groups:- group A: diabetic hypertensive patients, group B: only diabetic patients, group C: only hypertensive patients and group D: non diabetic, non-hypertensive patients. For all patients history taking and clinical examination, standard 12 lead ECG, abdominal ultrasonography to exclude renal medical diseases, Echo-Doppler study before, immediately and 7 days after cardiac catheterization for assessment of left ventricular diastolic functions, and kidney function tests before cardiac catheterization, immediately, 3 days and 7 days after cardiac catheterization. We found an increase in blood urea, serum creatinine and decrease in creatinine clearance [not reaching the significant level] at the first day after contrast administration [P> 0.05]; However, the maximal significant effect of these contrast agent on kidney functions was reached at the third day [P< 0.05] and return to normal at the seventh day [P< 0.05]. Also we found that the level of serum creatinine is maximally changed after three days of contrast administration, where the mean values were 1.11 +/- 0.19 before coronary angiography changed to 1.24 +/- 0.17 immediately after coronary angiography and 1.79+0.13 three days after coronary angiography and 1.27+0.12 after seven days of coronary angiography. It was noted that the level of serum creatinine is increased by 25% or > 0.5 mg/dl from the base line value and decline to nearly normal level after seven days of coronary angiography. The effects of contrast agents on kidney functions were significantly higher in groups [A] and [B] than that of groups [C] and [D] and there was a significant positive correlation between the dose of contrast media and the effect on kidney functions [P< 0.05]. Also, there was a non-significant effect of the radio contrast media on the left ventricular diastolic function indices in the four studied groups [P> 0.05] immediately after and seven days after radio contrast administration. However, there was a non-significant correlation between the dose of contrast media and diastolic function parameters immediately after and seven days after coronary angiography [P> 0.05]. So the effect of radiocontrast agents after coronary angiograpghy on kidney functions is benign and transient starting within 1-2 days reaching the peak at 3-5 days and then returning to base line within 7-10 days. This effect is significantly higher in diabetic hypertensive patients than that in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive patients with positive correlation between the dose of contrast media and kidney functions. However, the ionic contrast media exerts negligible alterations on left ventricular diastolic functions indices

Cost-effectiveness of prescreening versus empirical vaccination for hepatitis A in Egyptian children with chronic liver disease

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anti-hepatitis A virus [anti-HAV] antibodies among 172 children with chronic liver disease, and to calculate the cost- effectiveness of prescreening prior to hepatitis A vaccination. Anti-HAV antibodies were positive in 85.1%. However, seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies was 62.1% in children < 5 years and 94.4% in children 5+ years. We conclude that while it is cost-effective to do prescreening before hepatitis A vaccination for children with chronic liver disease aged 5+ years, prescreening might not be cost-effective in those aged < 5 years

Environmental noise in Beirut, smoking and age are combined risk factors for hearing impairment

Effect of smoking and environmental noise on hearing impairment was investigated in 440 people aged 21-50 years living in Beirut. Participants were divided into 4 groups: nonsmokers and smokers living in noisy areas [70-90 dBA] and non-smokers and smokers living in quiet areas [45-55 dBA]. Smoking was associated with hearing loss at 8000 Hz, in both bivariate and multivariate analysis. An additive interaction at high frequencies [mostly at 8000 Hz] between smoking and noise appeared after age 40 years. At age 21-39 years, neither smoking nor environmental noise had a significant adverse effect on hearing capacity at low frequencies

Cardiorespiratory fitness and pulmonary functions in athletes and non-athletes adults

Pulmonary ventilation is generally known to have a linear relationship with oxygen consumption at different levels of exercise. Lung function parameters tend to have a relationship with lifestyle such as regular exercise and non- exercise. Our main aim was to explore the relation between exercise, body mass index and lung function as well as cardio-respiratory fitness. A total of 39 male students from the University of Taibah volunteered in the study, aged 18-24 years [19.7 +/- 1.37]. The subjects were divided Into two groups, 20 were athletes who had exercised regularly in the past few years as a players in volleyball handball football and swimming teams, and the remaining 19 served as controls were non-exercising, and non-athletes. The weight and height were measured to determine the body mass index [BMI] and the lung functions were tested by spirometer [Forced vital capacity, FVC, and forced expiratory volume in the first second FEV 1%], and Cardio-respiratory fitness was measured by a maximal treadmill test [MTT]. FVC, and FEV, but not FEV1/FVC% was significantly higher in athletes than non-athletes. MTT was found to be significantly different in athletes when compared to the non-exercising group. Subjects who were athletes with significant low [BMI] was associated with better cardio-respiratory fitness and respiratory function. The results showed that exercise and body mass index are associated with better cardio-respiratory fitness, but respiratory function contributed little to this association in athletes and non-athletes

Accident trends in Alexandria national Iron and Steel company from 1988 to 1999

Iron and steel industry is a heavy industry and is characterized by high accidents rates than those in most industries owing to the inherent risks in the entire rough processes. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the accident trends in Alexandria National Iron and Steel Company [ANSDK] from 1988 to 1999, to identify the applied accident prevention control system at the company, and to illustrate its effectiveness. Accidents [injuries] have been investigated and analyzed in the study period. Results revealed that the age group of 25-29 years had reported the highest record of injury in the first 6 years [1988-1993] and translocated to the age group of 30-40 years in the next 6 years [1994-1999]. The main reasons of injury are lack of attention and unsafe working methods [28.4% and 16.4%, respectively]. The main cause of injury are accidental fall and caught up between things [25% and 20.5%, respectively]. Upper and lower extremities were the most affected organs. All the aforementioned categorized results were highly significant [P=0.000001]. The accident prevention control system is summarized as; i- intensive patrolling and inspection of work places, ii- continuous review of safety standards and procedures, iii- enforcement of usage of available personal protective equipment, iv- continuous safety training and education for all employees, and v- applying safety commendation system. The continuous follow up of execution of the aforementioned procedures has led to the dramatic decrease of accident incidence from 204 in 1988 to 24 in 1996. Consequently, frequency rates decreased from 49.6 to 4.6 and severity rate from 1.163 to 0.226 in the same period. Best prediction equations for accident parameters and rates were derived. The actual accident parameters and rates were much lower than predicted ones from 2000 to 2004. The present study emphasized the integrity and success of the accident prevention control system and it is highly recommended to be applied in heavy industrial sector

Diagnostic and prognostic value of ST segment elevation in lead III greater than in lead II in patients with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction

To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of ST segment elevation in lead III greater than lead II in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction for predicting in hospital mortality and associated RV myocardial infarction, 40 patients with acute inferior myocardial infraction were included in this study. ECG, echocardiography and coronary angiography were performed for all patients. The presence o f ST-segment elevation in lead III lead > II from admission ECC defined the presence of RV infarction with sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 89.5%. During the hospital course, the prevalence of heart failure, post infarction angina, conduction defects and mortality were higher in patients with ST-segment elevation in lead III > lead II. The study concluded that ST-segment elevation in lead III more than lead II is more sensitive and specific than V3R, V4R in diagnosis RVMI. It is an excellent screening tool for RVMI given its universal availability on all electrocardiograms. Moreover, ST-segment elevation in lead III more than lead II is a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality and post-MI complications

Morphofunctional characteristics of the interatrial septum in cardiac diseases transesophageal echocardiographic study

Both the morphology and the functions of the interatrial septum in different clinical situations have been addressed only in a few studies, where the attention has been focused particularly on its congenital abnormalities. Our purpose was to study whether the changes of thickness and thinning of the interatrial septum may be related to the age, left atrial dimension and left ventricular functions. So we studied these changes using the transesophageal echocardiography in [60] patients of four groups of cardiovascular discuses. These groups were: Group I: Ischemic heart disease 20 patients. Group II: Dilated cardiomyopathy 20 patients. Group III: Hypertension with stroke 8 patients. Group IV: Corpulmonale 12 patients. All the patients were subjected to thorough clinical examination, 12 leads resting electrocardiography, chest X-ray postero-anterior view and echocardiography in which we made both transthoracic and esophageal approach for each patients. The interatrial septum thinning was calculated as the difference between the thickness of the IAS at atrial systolic phase and the thickness of the IAS at end-ventricular systolic phase. The value was expressed also as percentage of thinning at the end of ventricylar systolic phase. The IAS thickness increases with the age while there is no significant increase in thinning and thinning percentage. The IAS thickness increases in patients of left ventricular dysfunction e.g. [dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart diseases, and hypertensive patients] also it increases in patients of corpulmonale. There is a negative correlation between the IAS thickness and the left atrial dimension, but there is a positive correlation between the IAS thinning and IAS thinning percentage with the left atrial dimension. Patients with prolonged deceleration time of E and isovolumic relaxation time and decreased E/A with or without lower ejection fraction and fractional shortening had less IAS thinning%. On the other hand, patients with shorter deceleration time of E and isovolumic relaxation time and increased E/A with or without lower ejection fraction and fractional shortening had a comparable IAS thinning%.

Amebiasis in schistosomiasis endemic and non-endemic areas in Egypt

Stool and blood specimens were collected from each of 404 and 576 individuals at Sindbis Village [Qalyoubia Governorate] in the Nile Delta, where schistosomiasis is endemic, and El-Rashda Village [New Valley Governorate] in the Western Desert of Egypt where there is no schistosomiasis, respectively. The prevalence of infection with entamoeba [E. histolytica and/or E. dispar] was higher at Sindbis than at El-Rashda Village. Serum antibodies developed only against E. histolytica. Only 16 - 17% of those who were positive microscopically can be considered infected with E. histolytica as determined serologically. At Sindbis, the prevalence of E. histolytica infection was lower in S. mansoni negative than in S. mansoni positive individuals

Re-evaluation of echocardiographic score in patients undergoing balloon mitral valvuloplasty

Current study was designed to determine the important predictors of immediate and late [3 months] outcome of PBMV [percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty]. The study was conducted on 49 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis undergoing PBMV using Inoue Balloon technique. They were subjected to: clinical evaluation, echocardiographic study the day before, 24 hours and 3 months after PBMV, and cardiac catheterization study immediately before and after the procedure. A simple comparison of mean values of data showed that patients with optimal results [> 75% increase in mitral valve area, MVA] had smaller pre-PBMV MVA, higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure, better leaflet mobility and younger age. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that better leaflet mobility and higher diastolic pulmonary artery pressure are the most important predictors for percentage of change in MVA 24 hours after PBMV. Leaflet thickness was only weak predictor for PBMV outcome, while total echocardiographic score, valve calcification and subvalvular disease were not. After 3 months, the subvalvular disease and low left atrial pressure were the most important predictors for the percentage of change of MVA. Hence, although echocardiographic mitral valve morphology is very useful in pre-PBMV evaluation of patients, it should not be used alone in the selection of cases for this procedure

Response of mitotic division of tomato plants [Lycopersicin esculentum cv pearl gone] to viral infection by potato virus Y and/or tobacco Mosaic virus

Disturbances in mitotic division in tomato plants in response to viral infection by potato virus Y [PVY] and/or tobacco mosaic virus-E [TMV- E] were determined after 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, 35 and 45 days post inoculation. The results revealed that either PVY or TMV significantly lowered the mitotic division in tomato plants as indicated by the comparatively lower mitotic index than the respective control. PVY was much more effective than TMV-E. Complete arrest of mitotic division was recorded at 45 days post inoculation with either viruses. Mixed infection insignificantly affected mitotic division of tomato plants. Under all experimental conditions the percentage prophase increased with continued growth, whereas, the percentage of the other phases decreased

Study of effects of nifedipine on hypertensive patients with and without COPD

Nifedipine effects on hypertensive patients with and without COPD were studied in 50 patients [25 with COD and 25 without]. All patients were males with mild to moderate essential hypertension [D.B.P.90 -115]. Their age ranged from 30 to 74 years. Oral nifedipine 10 mg TID was given for one month. The following parameters were assessed before and after treatment in both groups with and without COPD: systolic blood pressure [S.B.P], diastolic blood pressure [D.B.P], mean arterial pressure [M.A.P], ventilatory function [F.E.V[1], F.E.F.[25-75%], PEFR], arterial blood gases, blood urea, serum creatinine, plasma Na and K and fasting blood glucose. The results showed that nifedipine significantly reduces the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure in patients with and without COPD. While ventilatory function parameters and arterial blood gases were not significantly affected in patients without COPD it showed significant increase in FEV[1] and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] and decrease PO[2] in patients with COPD. Plasma Na, K, blood urea, serum creatinine were not significantly affected while fasting blood glucose was significantly elevated [but still within normal limits] in both groups of patients with and without COPD

Echo-doppler evaluation of mitral incompetence following acute myocardial infarction

This study was carried out to reevaluate the prevalence, significance and pathogenesis of mitral regurgitation [MR] following acute myocardial infarction [AMI] utilizing color Doppler imaging technique. This study included 36 patients with acute myocardial infarction. They were classified into two groups: group [1] with echo-Doppler evidence of MR and group II with no evidence of MR. Each group was further classified into three subgroups according to the site of infarction: anterior [subgroup A], inferior [subgroup B] and combined anterior and inferior infarction [subgroup C]. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, ECG, chest X-ray and complete echocardiographic examination. The results could be summarized as follows: echo-Doppler evidence of MR was found in 50% of the study population. It was commoner among patients with combined infarction [61.3%]. The total CK, mitral annular diameter and left ventricular volumes were significantly increased in patients with compared to those without MR, while FS% and E/A ratio were significantly reduced in patients with MR. The severity of MR was not closely related to the site of infarction, there was significant linear correlation [P < 0.05] between severity of MR and mitral annular diameter while no significant correlation [P > 0.05] was found between severity of MR and total CK. There was a close relationship between the site of infarction and the direction of MR jet. It was concluded that MR is a fairly common finding in patients with AMI. It was common among patient with combined infarction and finally it appears that there are two major causative factors of MR in patients with AMI, asynergy of papillary muscles and/or left ventricular wall and enlargement of the mitral annulus

Evaluation of gastric transposition for pharyngeal repair following total laryngopharyngectomy and esophagectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer

This study included 30 patients. To all these cases total laryngopharyngectomy was performed with or without radical neck dissection and the transposed stomach was used for reconstruction at the same sitting with one safe anastomotic line and with or without gastric drainage procedure, i.e. pyloroplasty or pyloromyotomy. After reviewing tacking data the results of this surgical procedure were evaluated, which included all preoperative data, histopathological examination and staging of the tumors; All operative complications; Postoperative complications, morbidity, mortality, entral feeding and endoscopic biopsies; and hospital stay. Comparing of these results with the results of the other surgical procedures which had been used before, such as, Deltopectoral graft, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, colon interposition and jejunal interposition graft. It was found that the surgical procedure of gastric transposition operation seems evident to be the most adequate procedure for reconstruction of the pharynex after total laryngophorenjectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The only technical problem in this surgical procedure is whether to perform a gastric drainage procedure or not

Subclinical carditis in children with initial acute rheumatic fever: color-doppler echocardiographic study

The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of subclinical carditis in patients with ARF who had no evidence of clinical carditis, using color-Doppler echocardiography [CDE]. Thirty four patients with initial attack of ARF have no clinical evidence of carditis and twenty age and sex matched healthy children [as a control group] were studied. From the results obtained it was concluded that ARF without clinical carditis is not always a benign condition, because it is accompanied in most cases by subclinical carditis. The increased MVLT and valvular regurgitation detected by CDE unmasked subclinical carditis. So, the use of CDE study in patient with ARF would improve the identification of subclinical carditis and thus may be of great value to determine the prognosis of ARF

T3 and T4 hormones behavior in acute myocardial infarction

The main criterion for inclusion in study was freedom from diseases that may affect level of thyroidal hormones, subjects with history of drug intake that may affect thyroid function were excluded. All subjects underwent clinical examination, ECG, cardiac enzymes determination, some laboratory investigations and T3 and T4 radioimmunoassays on admission then on third and seventh days post AMI. The results showed a significant and transient decrease in TT3 and TT4 in early three days of AMI which returned to normal on seventh day after AMI. There was no significant relationship between TT3 and TT4, on one hand, and site or size of AMI, on the other hand. Also, there was no relationship of TT3 and TT4 and presence or absence of heart failure, however, patients with post myocardial infarction angina had a significantly higher TT3 in the day preceding the angina attack. So, it seems that this thyroidal hormones changes in adaptive process to limit the catabolism in such circumstances resulting in decrease of O2 consumption

Use of the initial electrocardiogram to predict in-hospital complications of suspected myocardial infarction

This study included 200 patients classified into positive and negative ECG groups according to the initial ECG. Initial ECG was classified as positive in presence of one or more of the following: Evidence of infarction, ischemia, left ventricular hypertrophy and strain or left bundle branch block. Patients with positive ECG [68%] and those with negative EGG [32%] were similar with respect to CAD risk factors and sex, however, age was higher and previous history of infarction or angina was more prevalent in positive ECG group. The risk of AMI was 7.8 times more likely in positive ECG group than those with negative ECG group [73.5% vs 9.4%]. Life threatening complications [ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia, cardiogenic shock, and complete A-V block] and mortality risk rates were 19.1% and 14.7%, respectively, in positive ECG group, while negative ECG group showed no complications and mortality was zero. There was no significant association between CAD risk factors, on one hand, and the presence or type of complications, on the other hand

Experimental infection of mice by naegleria fowleri or acanthamoeba culbertsoni isolated from water sites in Egypt

Naegleria fowleri and A. culbertsoni, which are known to cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis [PAM] were isolated from water sites in Egypt. Each species was tested for pathogenicity in young mice, which were inoculated intracerebrally with amoebae. Mice developed illness and showed signs of menigo encephalitis followed by coma and death within 5 days. The histopathological finding in the brain sections of these animals revealed the same observations as in acute PAM of previous studies. These results proved that N. fowleri and A. culbertsoni isolated from Egypt are pathogenic strains