Biodiversity of commercially important finfish species caught by mid-water and bottom trawls from two different coasts of Arabian Sea: threats and conservation strategies / Biodiversidade de espécies de peixes comercialmente importantes capturadas por redes de arrasto de médio e fundo do Baluchistão e costas de Sindh do mar da Arábia no Paquistão: ameaças e estratégias de conservação

This study was conducted to estimate the diversity and the occurrence of commercially important finfish species collected by twenty fish sampling site of Sindh and Baluchistan coasts of the Arabian Sea in Pakistan from January to December 2019. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics of seawater were analyzed from these selected sites and found to be within suitable ranges required for fish growth and survive. A total of 81287 fish individuals were collected and identified as 49 species belonging to 26 families in our study. The most diversified family was Sparidae (13 species) followed by Carangidae and Lutjanidae (4 species), Mullidae, Serranidae, Ariidae (3 species), and Sciaenidae (2 species). The remaining 20 families were represented by only one species. The values of Shannon diversity index calculated for the four selected habitats revealed that high fish diversity was reported at Sonmiani Coast (H’=1.81), while less at Ormara Coast (H’=0.23). Likewise, Evenness index (E) was high at Sonmiani Coast (E=0.50) and less fish diversity was reported at Ormara Coast (E=0.06). Reducing risks to threatened marine species in coastal habitats also requires conservation actions at multiple scales. Thus, it was concluded that our study could be valuable in providing the more information’s regarding to the diversity of finfish species and their occurrence along the Pakistan Coast. Further, to better understand the effects, regular monitoring and conservation measures should be taken to mitigate the influence of anthropogenic activities and protect finfish diversity from further decline.

Este estudo foi conduzido para estimar a diversidade e a ocorrência de espécies de peixes comercialmente importantes coletadas por vinte locais de amostragem de peixes nas costas de Sindh e Baluchistão do mar da Arábia, no Paquistão, de janeiro a dezembro de 2019. Além disso, as características físico-químicas da água do mar foram analisadas a partir desses peixes locais selecionados e considerados dentro dos intervalos adequados necessários para o crescimento e sobrevivência dos peixes. Um total de 8.1287 indivíduos de peixes foi coletado e identificado como 49 espécies pertencentes a 26 famílias em nosso estudo. A família mais diversificada foi Sparidae (13 espécies), seguida por Carangidae e Lutjanidae (4 espécies), Mullidae, Serranidae, Ariidae (3 espécies) e Sciaenidae (2 espécies). As 20 famílias restantes foram representadas por apenas uma espécie. Os valores do índice de diversidade de Shannon calculados para os quatro habitats selecionados revelaram que uma alta diversidade de peixes foi relatada na costa Sonmiani (H’ = 1,81), enquanto menos na costa Ormara (H’ = 0,23). Da mesma forma, o índice de regularidade (E) foi alto na costa de Sonmiani (E = 0,50) e menos diversidade de peixes foi relatada na costa de Ormara (E = 0,06). A redução dos riscos para as espécies marinhas ameaçadas em habitats costeiros também requer ações de conservação em várias escalas. Assim, concluiu-se que nosso estudo pode ser valioso para fornecer mais informações sobre a diversidade de espécies de peixes finos e sua ocorrência ao longo da costa do Paquistão. Além disso, para compreender melhor os efeitos, medidas regulares de monitoramento e conservação devem ser tomadas para mitigar a influência das atividades antropogênicas e proteger a diversidade de peixes finos de um declínio maior.

Biodiversity of commercially important finfish species caught by mid-water and bottom trawls from two different coasts of Arabian Sea: Threats and conservation strategies

Abstract This study was conducted to estimate the diversity and the occurrence of commercially important finfish species collected by twenty fish sampling site of Sindh and Baluchistan coasts of the Arabian Sea in Pakistan from January to December 2019. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics of seawater were analyzed from these selected sites and found to be within suitable ranges required for fish growth and survive. A total of 81287 fish individuals were collected and identified as 49 species belonging to 26 families in our study. The most diversified family was Sparidae (13 species) followed by Carangidae and Lutjanidae (4 species), Mullidae, Serranidae, Ariidae (3 species), and Sciaenidae (2 species). The remaining 20 families were represented by only one species. The values of Shannon diversity index calculated for the four selected habitats revealed that high fish diversity was reported at Sonmiani Coast (H'=1.81), while less at Ormara Coast (H'=0.23). Likewise, Evenness index (E) was high at Sonmiani Coast (E=0.50) and less fish diversity was reported at Ormara Coast (E=0.06). Reducing risks to threatened marine species in coastal habitats also requires conservation actions at multiple scales. Thus, it was concluded that our study could be valuable in providing the more informations regarding to the diversity of finfish species and their occurrence along the Pakistan Coast. Further, to better understand the effects, regular monitoring and conservation measures should be taken to mitigate the influence of anthropogenic activities and protect finfish diversity from further decline

Resumo Este estudo foi conduzido para estimar a diversidade e a ocorrência de espécies de peixes comercialmente importantes coletadas por vinte locais de amostragem de peixes nas costas de Sindh e Baluchistão do mar da Arábia, no Paquistão, de janeiro a dezembro de 2019. Além disso, as características físico-químicas da água do mar foram analisadas a partir desses peixes locais selecionados e considerados dentro dos intervalos adequados necessários para o crescimento e sobrevivência dos peixes. Um total de 8.1287 indivíduos de peixes foi coletado e identificado como 49 espécies pertencentes a 26 famílias em nosso estudo. A família mais diversificada foi Sparidae (13 espécies), seguida por Carangidae e Lutjanidae (4 espécies), Mullidae, Serranidae, Ariidae (3 espécies) e Sciaenidae (2 espécies). As 20 famílias restantes foram representadas por apenas uma espécie. Os valores do índice de diversidade de Shannon calculados para os quatro habitats selecionados revelaram que uma alta diversidade de peixes foi relatada na costa Sonmiani (H' = 1,81), enquanto menos na costa Ormara (H' = 0,23). Da mesma forma, o índice de regularidade (E) foi alto na costa de Sonmiani (E = 0,50) e menos diversidade de peixes foi relatada na costa de Ormara (E = 0,06). A redução dos riscos para as espécies marinhas ameaçadas em habitats costeiros também requer ações de conservação em várias escalas. Assim, concluiu-se que nosso estudo pode ser valioso para fornecer mais informações sobre a diversidade de espécies de peixes finos e sua ocorrência ao longo da costa do Paquistão. Além disso, para compreender melhor os efeitos, medidas regulares de monitoramento e conservação devem ser tomadas para mitigar a influência das atividades antropogênicas e proteger a diversidade de peixes finos de um declínio maior.

Biodiversity of commercially important finfish species caught by mid-water and bottom trawls from two different coasts of Arabian Sea: Threats and conservation strategies / Biodiversidade de espécies de peixes comercialmente importantes capturadas por redes de arrasto de médio e fundo do Baluchistão e costas de Sindh do mar da Arábia no Paquistão: Ameaças e estratégias de conservação

Abstract This study was conducted to estimate the diversity and the occurrence of commercially important finfish species collected by twenty fish sampling site of Sindh and Baluchistan coasts of the Arabian Sea in Pakistan from January to December 2019. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics of seawater were analyzed from these selected sites and found to be within suitable ranges required for fish growth and survive. A total of 81287 fish individuals were collected and identified as 49 species belonging to 26 families in our study. The most diversified family was Sparidae (13 species) followed by Carangidae and Lutjanidae (4 species), Mullidae, Serranidae, Ariidae (3 species), and Sciaenidae (2 species). The remaining 20 families were represented by only one species. The values of Shannon diversity index calculated for the four selected habitats revealed that high fish diversity was reported at Sonmiani Coast (H'=1.81), while less at Ormara Coast (H'=0.23). Likewise, Evenness index (E) was high at Sonmiani Coast (E=0.50) and less fish diversity was reported at Ormara Coast (E=0.06). Reducing risks to threatened marine species in coastal habitats also requires conservation actions at multiple scales. Thus, it was concluded that our study could be valuable in providing the more information's regarding to the diversity of finfish species and their occurrence along the Pakistan Coast. Further, to better understand the effects, regular monitoring and conservation measures should be taken to mitigate the influence of anthropogenic activities and protect finfish diversity from further decline

Resumo Este estudo foi conduzido para estimar a diversidade e a ocorrência de espécies de peixes comercialmente importantes coletadas por vinte locais de amostragem de peixes nas costas de Sindh e Baluchistão do mar da Arábia, no Paquistão, de janeiro a dezembro de 2019. Além disso, as características físico-químicas da água do mar foram analisadas a partir desses peixes locais selecionados e considerados dentro dos intervalos adequados necessários para o crescimento e sobrevivência dos peixes. Um total de 8.1287 indivíduos de peixes foi coletado e identificado como 49 espécies pertencentes a 26 famílias em nosso estudo. A família mais diversificada foi Sparidae (13 espécies), seguida por Carangidae e Lutjanidae (4 espécies), Mullidae, Serranidae, Ariidae (3 espécies) e Sciaenidae (2 espécies). As 20 famílias restantes foram representadas por apenas uma espécie. Os valores do índice de diversidade de Shannon calculados para os quatro habitats selecionados revelaram que uma alta diversidade de peixes foi relatada na costa Sonmiani (H' = 1,81), enquanto menos na costa Ormara (H' = 0,23). Da mesma forma, o índice de regularidade (E) foi alto na costa de Sonmiani (E = 0,50) e menos diversidade de peixes foi relatada na costa de Ormara (E = 0,06). A redução dos riscos para as espécies marinhas ameaçadas em habitats costeiros também requer ações de conservação em várias escalas. Assim, concluiu-se que nosso estudo pode ser valioso para fornecer mais informações sobre a diversidade de espécies de peixes finos e sua ocorrência ao longo da costa do Paquistão. Além disso, para compreender melhor os efeitos, medidas regulares de monitoramento e conservação devem ser tomadas para mitigar a influência das atividades antropogênicas e proteger a diversidade de peixes finos de um declínio maior.

Assessment the nurses performance in providing care to patients undergoing nasogastric tube in suez canaluniversity hospital

Nasogastric tube feeding is the introduction of liquid, via a tube inserted through the nose and running directly to the stomach. In general, tube feeding is a technique used for those who are unable to eat on their own. The aim of the present study is to assess nurses' performance in providing care to patients undergoing nasogastric tube. The study was a descriptive research design was used to conduct this study; a total number of 50 nurse were selected randomly using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected over a period of four months, using two tools: Tool [1] Questionnaire sheets to assess nurses knowledge about care provided to patients undergoing nasogastric tube. Tool [2]: Observational checklist to assess the nurses practice in providing care to patients undergoing nasogastric tube. The results of the present study revealed that unsatisfactory level of performance in providing care to patients undergoing nasogastric tube among nurses in the sample. Age and experience was correlated with levels of nurse's knowledge. However, there were statistical significant differences between practice and gender, marital status and graduation. The study recommended that they had satisfactory theoretical knowledge and clinical applications nasogastric tube care and feeding parts should be taught together, to facilitate learning continuous evaluation of nurse's knowledge and performance is essential to identify nurse's needs

Intestinal protozoa and intestinal helminthic infections among schoolchildren in El dhayga, Central Sudan

A cross-sectional study was carried- out to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and soil-transmitted helminths [STHs] among primary schoolchildren in El dhayga, Central Sudan. In total, 142 [90.4%] of 157 children harboured at least one type of intestinal parasite. Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were the most common parasites found, with prevalence rates of 32.5%, 30.6%, 33.1 and 19.7%, respectively. Out of these 157, 29[18.5%] children harboured >/= two intestinal parasitic infections. No cases of Schistosoma mansoni or Enterobius vermicularis were identified. Thus, our study demonstrates significant burden of intestinal protozoa and STH infections in this part of Sudan and highlights the need for preventive and intervention measures

Nutritional and exercise habits for prevention of osteoporosis among female adolescents in Assiut city secondary schools

The aim of this study is to identify the nutritional and exercise habits for prevention of osteoporosis among female adolescents in Assiut City secondary schools. The study was conducted in three female secondary schools in Assiut city. Secondary schools were stratified into general, nursing, and agricultural categories. A stratified random sampling was used to select one school from each stratum. Then, from each school, one class was randomly selected from each of the three academic years. Thus, a total of nine classes from three schools was recruited, and the total sample size was 412 girls. Identification and demographic data, dietary and exercise habits, attitude scale to measure attitudes towards dairy products and food frequency sheet were used to collect the data. The main result demonstrates that slightly more than half of the sample were eating two main meals per day [51.7%], and more than one third [35.4%] were eating only one meal per day. General and nursing secondary school girls had higher percentages of intake of balanced diet, compared to those in agricultural schools and the highest percentages of intake of balanced diet was among participants whose parents had university education. Two-fifth of the participants [42.2%] were practicing exercise, and only one-fifth [25.7%] did it regularly. The study findings lead to the conclusion that the adolescent secondary school students in Assiut city have deficient eating and exercise habits, particularly in relation to dairy products. This is influenced by type of school and parents' education. Therefore, it is recommended that making dairy products more attractive and available is recommended to encourage girls to consume more of these important food items

Scanning electron microscopy and histopathological study of the effect of estriol on the endometrium of women using long acting injectable contraceptives with irregular uterine bleeding

Hormonal contraceptives are female sex steroids, synthetic estrogen and synthetic progesterone [pro gestin], or pro gestin only. They can be administered in the form of oral contraceptives "OC", implants, and injectables. A large part of the modem medical research has focused on studying the effect of different forms of the hormonal contraception on the human endometrium whether by the conventional dilatation and curettage or by outpatient pipelle to study the endometrial histopathological changes either by light microscope or scanning electron microscope; and to correlate the findings detected by both modalities, in order to develop an effective method for diagnosis and treatment of different forms of eridometrial pathology. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of estrogen treatment on the endometrium of women using pogestational injectable contraceptive [Depo-provera] [R]and complaining of irregular uterine bleeding using: Clinical assessment, transvaginal ultrasound and studying endometrial samples by: The ordinary light microscope and the scanning electron microscope. In this study 30 women using depo provera as a contraceptive method and all of them complaining of irregular uterine bleeding were randomly categorized into 2 groups; group A included 15 cases who received estriolfor 3 months, and group B included 15 cases who received Diosmine for the same period. Both groups were subjected to endometrial sampling by an out patient pippelle before and after treatments then the endometrial tissues were examined by the ordinary light microscope and the scanning electron microscope, results were then tabulated and statistically analyzed using the standard statistical tests. Microscopic examination of-the endometrial biopsies from all women receiving depot inedroxyprogesterone acetate revealed variable degrees of endo, netrial atrophy. The glandular architecture was cystic in cases and budded in the others. The glands were lined by mitotically inactive bland-looking cuboidal or flattened cells with rare pseudostratfication. The glands were embedded' in a mitotically inactive spindled stroma that exhibited varying degrees of collagenation. The ratio of glands to stroma was near one with predominant stroma. in many foci. Microscopic examination of the endometrial biopsies of the 15 patients that received Diosmine for 3 months didn't reveal any proliferative change in 12 of them and only weak prohferative changes were noted in 3 of them. All atrophic endometria examined with the SEM revealed inconsistency in cell size and shape, cellular loss and separation, infrequency of ciliated cells and absence of uterodomes. Epithelial surface was usually flattened, with cells often displaying raised cell borders; Microvillous cells were thinly populated with very low, blebbed microvilli. Afew to moderate number of glands with large openings were observed. Pitted cells were observed in 2 of the specimens that were treated with Diosmine. Number of injections and time lapse since the last injection had a role in the endometrial changes but age, gravidity and parity had no role. Depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate [DMPA] is one of the most effective hormonal iontraceptive methods used by women in reproductive age to prevent pregnancy. Discontinuation of DMPA is mainly due to menstrual irregularities including unpredictable bleeding or spotting; this bleeding is mainly due to endometrial atrophy. Estriol is considered the friendly estrogen and can he used in treatment of vaginal bleeding during DMPA use by changing the endometrium front vrophic to prolfirative so it causes building up of a new endometrium without evident side effects Endometriutn either under effect of DMPA or estriol is easy to be studied by combined scanning electron microscopy and ordinary light microscopy cfter endometrial sampling by outpatient pipelle

Simultaneous determination of the two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Diflunisal and Naproxen in their tablets by chemometric spectrophotometry and HPLC

Chemometric spectrophotometry and HPLC were applied to the simultaneous determination of the two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; diflunisal [I] and naproxen [II]. The applied chemometric techniques are multivariate methods including classical least squares [CLS], principal component regression [PCR] and partial least squares [PLS]; and the second derivative of the ratio spectra [2Dr] method. To develop the multivariate methods, the UV absorption spectra of the standard solutions of the training and validation sets in methanol were recorded in the range of 242-274 nm at 2 nm intervals. The specificity of the studied multivariate methods has been tested. In the 2Dr method, analytical signals at 235 and 259 nm were selected for the determination of [I] and [II], respectively. The HPLC method depends on reversed-phase separation using C18 column. The mobile phase consists of a mixture of acetonitrile - acetate buffer [pH 4.2; 50 mM] [60:40, v/v]. The UV detector was set at 255 nm. The developed methods were validated and successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of [I] and [II] in their tablets. The assay results obtained using the chemometric methods were statistically compared to those of the HPLC method and good agreement was observed

Paclitaxel and cisplatin for patients with advanced gastric cancer

Because of the unsatisfactory treatment results with 5-fluorouracil-based palliative combination chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer, we conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of pacitaxel and cisplatin in patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable gastric adenocarcinoma. Twenty-five of 27 patients that were entered into this study between January 2003 and August 2005 received chemotherapy. Paclitaxel was administerd at a dose of 175 mg/m2 as a 3-hour intravenous infusion and Cisplatin at 75 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks. Nine patients [36%] achieved a partial response, 7 patients [28%] a stable disease, and 5 patients [20%] progressed. The overall response rate was 36% [95% concidence interval [CI], 17 to 55%]. The median duration of the response was 7.8 months [95% CI, 6.6 to 9.0 months]. The median time to progression was 7.4 months [95% CI, 5.3 to 9.5 months], and median overall survival was 13.3 months [95% CI, 10.8 to 15.9 months]. The major toxicity was hematological, with grade 3 and 4 neutropenia in 10% [10/106] of the total cycles. The non-hematologic toxicity was mild, and grade 3 emesis was observed in 2 patients [8%]. The results suggest that a combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for patients treated for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma

Impact of adjuvant external irradiation in treatment of locally advanced papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

To look for the possible efficacy of external beam irradiation [EBRT] for locally advanced papillary thyroid cancers. Between April 2002 and June 2005, 91 patients with locally advanced papillary thyroid cancers [pathologic stage T4 or N1] were treated with surgical resection. After surgery, 23 patients received postoperative EBRT [12 patients were treated with EBRT+ ablative radioiodine therapy [RAI] and 11 patients received postoperative EBRT only], and 68 patients were treated with RAI alone. The distribution of age, sex, and stage was comparable in both therapeutic groups. The overall survival rates at 2 years were statistically not significantly different between the two groups at 98.1% for the no-EBRT group and 90% for the EBRT group [p = 0.5]. The locoregional control rates at 2 years were significantly different [EBRT 95.2% and no EBRT 67.5%; p = 0.04]. Analysis of the prognostic factors age, sex, stage, and use of radioiodine ablative therapy, indicated these were not significantly variables, except for EBRT. Adjuvant postoperative EBRT did not affect overall survival, but significantly improved locoregional control in patients with locally advanced papillary thyroid cancer [Stage T4 or Lymph node involvement]

Determents of some cognitive functions in adult males with generalized tonic clonic idiopathic epilepsy

This study was designed to assess some cognitive functions among adult male patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures of idiopathic epilepsy. Forty-nine right-handed male patients with generalized [tonic - clonic] idiopathic epilepsy were recruited from outpatient epileptic clinic, Assuit University hospitals. Another 42 subjects of the same age and sex-matched adults were chosen as a control group. Each participating subject was subjected to assessment of cognitive function using Stanford-Binet [4[th] edition], complete medical history, clinical examination [with special emphasis on epilepsy-related factors and drug - related factors] and EEG records [for epileptic patients only]. Epileptic patients reported highly significant impairment across all measured cognitive functions compared with the healthy group. Polytherapy epileptic group was the worst one followed by carbamazepine monotherapy epileptic group and the least was valporate monotherapy epileptic group. Early age of onset, increased severity of seizure, and prolonged duration of treatment [years] showed significant negative correlation in some studied cognitive functions subscales. Adult males with generalized tonic-clonic idiopathic epilepsy experience cognitive function deterioration. Polytherapy, early age at onset, increase severity of seizure and prolonged duration of treatment increase the risk for negative cognitive dysfunction

Laboratory studies on the prevalence and cercarial rhythms of trematodes from Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails from Khartoum state, Sudan

[a] To determine the natural infection rate of Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails with trematodes' cercariae. [b] To determine the emergence and rhythmicity of cercariae. [c] To elucidate the high-risk time for man and other animals to acquire infection. Snails were collected from Dawar El Mahadi Agricultural Scheme, Khartoum State, identified in the laboratory, kept at room temperature and fed on lettuce. The snails were screened weekly for six weeks for natural infection and infected snails were kept in the dark. The swimming patterns and resting position of the freshly emerged cercariae were studied using a stereomicroscope. The rhythmicity of the different types of cercariae was studied by screening three sets of 5 naturally infected snails under fluorescent light from 07.00 to 19.00 and similar sets from 19.00 to 07.00. Out of 1,257 screened Bulinus truncatus, 187 [14.9%] shed four types of cercariae. The highest prevalence of natural infection [9.5%] was by schistosome cercariae followed by amphistome [2.5%], xiphidiocercariae [2.4%] and lastly by avian cercariae [0.5%]. However, out of 200 screened B. pfeifferi, 22 [11%] shed only xiphidiocercariae. The rhythmicity studies showed that the emergence of schistosome cercariae increased steadily from 07.00 to reach its peak at 11.00-13.00. The emergence rhythms of avian cercariae are similar to those of the schistosome, but with an early peak at 09.00-11.00. The xiphidiocercariae and amphistome cercariae started with high rate of emergence at 07.00. and decreased gradually to very low levels or complete disappearance, respectively, around sunset. Information on cercarial rhythmicity and chronobiological characteristics are thought to be useful in avoiding water contact during high-risk time of infection and may be helpful in the identification of closely related species and strains of cercariae

role of CT guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in the management of intra-abdominal masses

The evaluation of deep non-palpable abdominal masses or focal lesion is often difficult. Distinction between malignant and non-malignant lesions and particularly inflammatory lesions is vital for patient management, and is often suspected from imaging techniques; the diagnosis requires confirmation by biopsy. Fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] is a well established diagnostic technique. This study aimed at evaluation of CT guided FNAB in diagnosis of intra-abdominal masses and its impact on treatment planning. The study was conducted on thirty patients with intra-abdominal masses [clinically or radiologically diagnosed] admitted to the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the Main University Hospital. FNAs were performed at the Radiology unit in the Main University Hospital with the pathologists assistance. Patients were subjected to surgical exploration according to the findings, aiming at resection of the mass. The impacts of CT and FNAB on the surgical decision were recorded The pathological findings of FNAB were compared with the final histo-pathological findings of the specimen. The study was carried but on 30 patients who had abdominal mass or masses. Each patient was subjected to CT guided FNAC. The age of the patients ranged between 18-70 years, with a mean of 48.57 +/- 13.69 years. with a male to female ratio 1:1. The Sensitivity for CT was 76% and for FNAB was 89%. Specificity for CT was 100% and for ENAB was 100%. Positive predictive value for CT was 90% while it was 95% for FNAB. Negative predictive value was 18% for CT and 40% for FNAB. CT guided FNAB is a relatively painless procedure. It is a safe method for obtaining a pathologic diagnosis. The overall accuracy of the CT guided FNA in intra-abdominal masses was 73.3%. CT guided FNAB helped in avoiding surgery in patients with metastatic or irresectable tumors. The accuracy was 100% in hepatic, pancreatic and pelvic masses. while it was less accurate in retroperitoneal and gastrointestinal masses. This accuracy increased with adenocarcinomas and benign tumors, but decreased with lymphomas, smooth muscle tumors, inflammatory and fibrotic lesions

Acute hepatopancriatitis caused by atorvastatin

Although the frequency of drug-induced acute pancreatitis is generally low, the disease is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, which makes timely identification of the offending agent important. Drugs are related to the etiology of pancreatitis in about 0.1-2% of cases. While statins are generally well tolerated they have been known to be associated with pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis has been reported in a few cases treated with atorvastatin. A 76-year-old male with a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and coronary heart disease under treatment that include atorvastatin for 8 months, presented to the Emergency Department of our hospital with epigastric and right hypochondrial pain and vomiting of 24-hour duration. The clinical and laboratory investigations led to the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Conservative and rich-in-fluid treatment resulted in clinical and laboratory amelioration, and the patient was discharged on day 10, after full restoration of his health. In our patient, all possible common causes of acute pancreatitis were excluded. It is a rational assumption to connect this case to the administration of atorvastatin. However, the pathophysiological mechanism behind the onset of acute pancreatitis due to a statin, remains vague. With statin prescriptions, the clinicians need to be aware of this complication of statin treatment

Stearoyl coenzyme a desaturase expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and in chronic viral hepatitis

Objective: to study stearoyl-CoA desaturase or delta 9 desaturase expression by polymerase chain reaction [PCR], gel documentation system densitometry of PCR products of liver biopsy from normal liver tissues as well as from hepatocellular carcinoma liver biopsy of the same patient and also from chronic viral C hepatitis [HCV] subjects and to correlate findings to the presence of HCV viremia as well as the presence of chronic active hepatitis

Design: a randomized, group comparative, single center study

Patients: 30 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and 30 cases of chronic viral hepatitis C [HCV] with and without signs of chronic active hepatitis and with and without HCV viremia. Diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination of liver biopsy

Settings: internal Medicine and Medical Biochemistry Departments. Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

Main outcome measures: qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of delta 9 desaturase gene expression by RT-PCR and densitometry using gel documentation system of PCR products respectively

Results: the present study demonstrated that there was a significant increase in delta 9 desaturase gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cases as compared to normal liver tissues as well as in comparison to chronic hepatitis cases. Furthermore, the extent of delta 9 desaturase expression was significantly elevated in the presence of HCV viremia as compared to non viremic subjects. Moreover, the presence of chronic active hepatitis was found to upregulate the extent of delta 9 desaturase gene expression to a significant extent in comprison to hepatitis cases with no activity

Conclusion: delta 9 desaturase gene expression was significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma as compared to chronic hepatitis subjects. whereas the extent of delta 9 desaturase expression was more significantly elevated in the presence of chronic active hepatitis as well as the presence of HCV viremia in chronic hepatitis subjects

Effect of food intake on lipid pattern of young adults in Beheira governorate

This study was conducted in Beheira governorate during 1999. Three districts were chosen [Rashied Delengat and Damanhour] on the assumption that their populations differ in their food habits. The study included 197 males and 169 females from both rural and urban areas in each district. The mean age of the males was 21.3 years and for females was 20.2 years. Fasting blood sample for plasma was collected from each subject to study the effect of food consumption on plasma lipid pattern as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Total cholesterol, HDL-C, IDI-C and triglycerides were determined for each subject and their food intake was recorded. The results indicated that prevalence rates for hypercholesterolemia were 12.9%, 12.7% and 4.2% in males and 18%, 17.5% and 15.6% in females in rashied, damanhour and delegate, respectively. On the other hand, hypertriglyceridemia was recorded in 16%, 27% and 19.4% of males in Rashid, Damanhur and Delengat, respectively compared with 23% 24.6% and 31.4% in females, respectively. The study recommended that nutrition education is needed for touth and young adults and the encourarge practice of sports in the both urban and rural areas. Further studies should be conducted in other governorates to identify the prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis among youth

Surgery of the inferior nasal turbinates: a comparative study of the operative outcomes of three techniques

In the present study, three of the widely practiced surgical procedures for the reduction of the size of the inferior turbinates, i.e. Partial inferior turbinectomy [PIT], submucous diathermy [SMD] and submucous turbinectomy or turbinoplasty [ST or TP] were assessed for subjective efficacy and morbidity. In all cases, turbinectomy was performed as an isolated procedure. The study was conducted on three groups of 90 adult patients [assigned into three groups of 30 patients each] with symptoms and signs of nasal obstruction due to enlargement of inferior turbinates. All patients were followed up for two weeks after surgery and after two months with subjective assessments of nasal breathing. The data obtained showed that the three procedures are relatively safe, effective, well-tolerated and do not require an expensive instrumentation. Nevertheless, when turbinectomy deemed necessary, the most conservative techniques are preferred

Some haematological findings in allergic rhinitis patients

To investigate the hematological changes in allergic rhinitis as electrophoretic pattern, serum iron and copper, 20 patients suffered from allergic rhinitis with polyps and 10 healthy subjects as controls with matched age and sex were selected for this study. A highly significant increase in the mean level of alpha 2 in about 75% of the cases and an increase in alpha 1 in about 30% of the cases with no significant difference between the mean level of total protein, albumin and gamma globulin in both groups were found. The mean serum level iron was decreased, while the mean serum level of copper was increased in all allergic patients compared with the controls. Thus, it was concluded that electrophoretic changes as well as serum iron and copper levels changes could have a role in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis with polyps

Pivot shift repair in non-athletics

Pivot shift is a symptom and a sign of torn anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] of the knee joint. In selected cases, extra-articular reconstruction of the torn ACL by modified Macintosh procedure was done in 40 cases [42 knees]. The evaluation of the results depends on subjective and objective criteria. The average score of all patients was 86.7 points out of 100 points. The results were very good in 27 knees, good in 13 knees but unsatisfactory in two knees. Extra- articular reconstruction of torn ACL by this technique gave satisfactory results in those patients suitable for such a procedure. Preoperative patient selection and postoperative rehabilitation were the main factors determining the success or failure of this operation