Measuring of gastric emptying in Egyptian pediatric patients with portal hypertension by using real-time ultrasound

Among the various methods for evaluating gastric emptying, the real-time ultrasound is safe, does not require intubation, or rely on either radiologic or radionuclide technique. The aim of our work was to measure the gastric emptying in pediatric patients with portal hypertension by using the real-time ultrasound. Forty patients with portal hypertension with mean age 7 +/- 2.8 years and 20 healthy children as a control group underwent gastric emptying study by using real-time ultrasound. The cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum was measured in the fasting state and then each subject was allowed to drink tap water then calculated by using formula area [longitudinal anteroposterior diameter/4]. The intragastric volume was assumed to be directly proportional to the cross-sectional area of the antrum. The mean gastric emptying half-time volume was significantly delayed in portal hypertension patients [40 +/- 6.8 min] compared with the control subjects [27.1 +/- 3.6] min [P<0.05]. Patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction had significant delayed gastric emptying in comparison to patients with portal hypertension due to other etiologies [36.14 +/- 4.9 vs 44.41 +/- 6.04 min; P<0.01]. Ultrasound is a noninvasive and a reliable method for measuring gastric emptying in pediatric patients. Gastric emptying was significantly delayed in patients with portal hypertension. Etiology of portal hypertension may influence gastric emptying time in patients with chronic liver disease

Assessment of the nutritional status for visually handicapped children and adolescents in Egypt

Visually handicapped children are one of the most vulnerable groups who are sensitive to various factors. Therefore, it is important to assess their nutritional as well as health environment status. This work was carried out to evaluate the nutritional status of visual disabled children [239 males and 313 females] who were chosen randomly from visual handicapped school children from five governorate representing Egypt. A sub sample of 115 males and 168 females was subjected to dietary and laboratory analysis. Information about nutritional habits, dietary intake and biochemical analysis were collected during the interview. All this data has been given by family members of the handicapped children with the help of schools social workers. Anthropometric measurements were taken for all targeted handicapped children. Results indicated that, the majority of children [70% of total sample] consumed their full amount of protein while only 11.7% of them had their full daily energy requirements. The study also revealed that most of the surveyed children consumed <75% RDA of macronutrients and vitamins. Regarding anthropometric indices, the results proved that male children suffered more under weight and stunting than females. In conclusion, these results highlight the need for establishing accurate statistics regarding the type and degree of disability as well as age and sex distribution of disabled population. Also nutrition education to the families and teachers of these disabled group about healthy diet to overcome micronutrients deficiencies

role of dietary supplements on markers of bone turnover in ovariectomized rat model

Objective: To investigate the potential preventive effect of dietary supplements on bone loss versus orally administered conjugated estrogens in ovariectomyinduced bone loss of adult rats

Materials and Methods: Three months after ovariectomy, 10 adult rats [4-5 months old] were assigned to standard diet containing a specified percentage of either one of red clover, fennel, carob or a mixture of these three species for a period of three months. Another ovariectomized [OVX] group was given a daily dose of conjugated estrogen [SO ug/kg body weight]. An additional gonadal intact group [control] was included in this study. Serum Ca, P, B2-microglobulin, bone ALP, estradiol, PTH, osteocalcin, IGF-I and TGF-Beta were determined in all groups

Results: All OVX groups treated with either one of the three dietary supplements or their mixture, Showed that serum total Ca, P, bone ALP, osteocalcin, IGF-1 and TGF-Beta levels were higher, while Scrum B2microglobulin and PTH were lower than the corresponding values for the OVX control. The increase of serum estradiol level for all treated groups was not significant. The effects Observed for the three dietary supplements were comparable to those obtained for the group treated With conjugated estrogen

Conclusion: Each of the three dietary supplements and their mixture significantly modulate bone turnover markers of ovariectomized rats. These results may be useful for the prevention of menopausal bone loss and treatment of osteoporosis

Immunoglobin G subclasses concentrations in low birth weight infants treated with intravenous immunoglobulins

To evaluate the use of intravenously administered immunoglobulin [IVIG] for improvement of IgG subclasses deficiencies, IVIG was administered in a protocol designed to maintain serum IgG subclasses concentrations within a normal level. The study consisted of 45 preterm low weight newborn infants, who were divided into two groups: group A included 20 preterm newborn of body weight less than 1 kg and group B of newborn infants of body weight more than 1 kg, a ten reference control group who did not receive IVIG were also analyzed. IVIG was given in a dose of 500 mg/kg to infants weighing greater than 1 kg, and 700 mg/kg to those weighing less than 1 kg at birth. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy resulted in a significant increase in concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 subclasses [P < 0.0001, P < 0.02 and P < 0.001] respectively in infants with body weight less than 1 kg whereas there was a significant increase in serum levels of IgG1, and IgG2 subclasses [P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001] respectively in infants with body weight more than 1 kg. Our preliminary observations suggest that administration of [IVIG] can improve the IgG subclasses deficiencies in low weight new born infants