Doppler-derived myocardial performance index: a new predictor for subclinical dysfunction in hypertensive patients

This study included 40 hypertensive patients and 20 normal subjects as a control group. They were subjected to complete clinical examination, ECG and complete echo-Doppler study with the calculation of Doppler-derived interval index [ICT + IRT]. The index was significantly higher in hypertensive patients as compared with the control, it was also significantly higher in hypertensive patient with eccentric LVH as compared with those with concentric LVH. The index was higher in patients with decreased EF and FS. The Doppler-derived index of combined systolic and diastolic function was higher in hypertensive than normotensive and it may be considered a simple accurate parameter for the detection of subclinical dysfunction and follow up studies of cardiac patients

Traumatic injuries: epidemiological features and risk awareness

To scrutinize the individuals' and environmental factors behind traumatic eye injuries and to find-out individual's awareness of risks in different life activities; 173 eye-injured patients were included. They were subjected to a pre-designed performa to collect data concerning demographic characteristics, type and cause of injury in addition to the place or setting in which it was sustained. It included also data concerning awareness of the potential risk of injury due to the different life activities. The study revealed that all age groups were affected with a maximum frequency at the age group 25 - < 60 years. Illiterate and low educated individuals were more frequent among patients. Contrary to what might be expected; a great proportion of traumatic eye injuries occurred at home, leisure and sports facilities. Urban residence was more potentially hazardous due to multiplicity of activities pursued by residents. The unawareness of the potential hazards to which individuals might be exposed during the different life activities was a factor behind reluctance of using protective appliances where their use was indicated. Illiteracy and low educational level were barriers hindering perception and appreciation of the potential risks, The study recommended; inclusion of safety education within the school curricula at all levels, health education programs dealing with the potential health hazards to be propagated through mass media and special health education programs for those involved in recreational and sports activities. The study recommended also that the use of protective devices should be always inforced

Pulmonary tuberculosis: missed case in the routine hospital investigations of contacts

To assess hospital performance towards case finding among contacts and to find out the value of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] testing in detection of missed cases, 120 pulmonary tuberculous patients were considered index cases. Their contacts were enlisted. Hospital measures towards contacts were audited through interviews with the hospital personnel and revision of the hospital records. Eighty non tuberculous contacts as revealed by the hospital routine measures were subjected to polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The study revealed that cases among contacts might be missed due to omitting examination of contacts other than the household ones. Also, some of the enlisted contacts might not attend due to non competence of the calling system, The hospital applied routine investigations failed in detection of some of the cases. The study revealed also that clinically suspected contacts might be managed as tuberculous cases to avoid missing cases. The study recommended enlistment of contacts other than the household ones. It recommended also direct mailing and communications with the primary health care units besides home visits to reach tuberculous contacts

Pulmonary Tuberculosis: determinants and risk factors

This study was conducted to find out the current determinants and risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis. The study comprised 487 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 632 non tuberculous ones as a conrrol group, All were interviewed to collect data concerning personal information, socioeconomic chairacteristics, special habits, family history of tuberculosis among close contacts, history of BCG vaccination, and history of intercurrent diseases. The study revealed that pulmonary tuberculosis continues to occur at a peak among those aged 25 -< 45 years. the age group 5-15 years is no more exempted. Contrary to what has been known, rural inhabitants, farmers and house -wives are now more experiencing pulmonary tuberculosis. Illiteracy, large family size and family disruption are sccioeconomic factors behind pulmonary tuberculosis. Smoking and addiction are also operating risk factors. Besides the well known risky occupations, coffee shop workers are new comers. Diabetes mellitus, chronic gastrointestinal diseases are still operating risk factors while bronchial asthma is argumental. BCG vaccination is not the sole preventive measure for pulmonary tuberculosis. The study recommended, routine screening of patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic gastro-intestinal diseases and bronchial asthma and campaigns for screening of house-wives, farmers and seasonal manual workers. It recommends also screening of school age children besides strengthening anti-illiteracy and anti-smoking efforts

Validity of a new exercise-induced QRS score for diagnosis of coronary artery disease

This study aimed to examine validity of a new exercise index [the QRS score] and compare its value with ST-segment depression as markers of ischemia. The study included 104 subjects, 64 patients with documented coronary artery disease [group I] and 40 normal subjects as controls [group II]. All subjects underwent a symptom limited treadmill exercise testing according to Bruce protocol. For each subject, QRS score was calculated and ST segment was evaluated. QRS score <5 mm detected coronary artery disease with a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 85% and predictive accuracy of 87.5%; while for ST-segment depression, sensitivity was 61%, specificity 90% and predictive accuracy 70%. The value of QRS score was independent of the presence or absence of ST-segment depression. Also, there was a significant inverse relationship between value of QRS score and number of diseased coronary vessels. These data suggested that this new QRS score was a more useful and reliable index than ST-segment depression for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Meningococcal carriage among medical and paramdical personnel in Tanta, Egypt

N. meningitidis, Str. Pneumoniae and H. influenzae are responsible for over 90% of cases of acute bacterial meningitis. Meningococci are the commonest cause of septic meningitis in Egypt, and in many parts of the world, meningococcal disease is considered a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Asymptomatic nasopharyngeal colonization in humans provides the only known natural reservoir of meningococci. Three hundred and twenty three nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from medical and paramedical staff in Tanta University Hospital and Tanta Fever Hospital, and 144 swabs were collected from Tanta University students as a control non-exposed group. Cultures and serogrouping were performed, sensitivity to antibiotics was estimated. The percentage of positive meningococcal carriers of the exposed medical and paramedical personnel was 22.6%,while in non-exposed group was 11.1%. There was no relation between history of vaccine intake and carrier rate. Workers and nurses had the highest carrier rates among the medical and paramedical personnel [27.1% and 25.8% respectively]. Serogroup A was the most prevalent [48.3%],followed by serogroup C [43.8%] and finally serogroup B [7.9%]. The isolates were sensitive more to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and spiramycin

Application of PMR spectroscopy for the determination of certain indole derivatives of pharmaceutical interest

A simple and accurate method was described for the quantitative determination of certain drugs containing indole ring [indomethacin, chlorthalidone and pindolo] both in pure form and in their pharmaceutical preparations. The method involved a comparison of the integral of the selected group protons of the drugs under test with those of the two methine protons of maleic acid used as internal st and ard. The results were accurate and reproducible in comparison with the official methods

Spectrophotometric methods for the determination of dapsone

Two spectrophotometric methods are proposed for the micro determination of dapsone [Bis- [4-aminophenyl] sulphone] which is commonly used for the treatment of leprosy as antimicrobial drug. In the first method 1, 2 naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate sodium salt was used as a reagent for the colorimetric determination of the cited drug. This reagent was largely used for the determination of primary aromatic amines, a deep red paraquinoid condensation product results which can be measured at 475 nm in 50% acetic acid medium. The second method is coupling of the diazotized primary aromatic amino- groups in dapsone with barbituric acid, a compound possessing an active methylenic group. The concentration range for Beer's law compliance is 1.28-9 mug ml-1 with mean percentage recovery 99.22 +/- 1.697%. The methods were successfully applied for the determination of dapsone in its dosage forms

Colorimetric determination of propranolol hydrochloride in formulation

The reaction of secondary amines with carbon disulphide to form dithiocarbamic acid was utilized as a base for analysis of propranolol hydrochloride. The dithiocarbamic acid formed reacts with Cu [II] to form a yellow colored complex measured at 440 nm after extraction with benzene. Conditions of the reaction were thoroughly studied including the effect of acetic acid and pyridine concentrations on the process of extraction of dithiocarbamate complex. The results obtained by this method were compared with the USP method. The results revealed that both the variance ratio and t test are within the theoretical limits, indicating that the suggested method is equally precise and accurate. Beer's law obeyed for the concentration range between 50 and 400 ug.m-1 with mean percentage recovery of 100.16 + 0.60

Utility of certain-acceptors for spectrophotometric estimation of some antihistamines

Simple and sensitive colorimetric methods have been developed for the estimation of two new antihistamines; namely, mequitazine and terfenadine. The methods involved the reaction of these drugs as n- donors with either chloranilic acid P-CA [I], tetracyano- quinodimethane TCNQ [II] or tetracyanoethylene TCNE [III] as pi- acceptors, to give a stable and highly colored radical anion. The colored products were quantified spectrophotometrically at 540 nm for [I], at 750 nm and 843 nm for [II] and at 400 nm for [III]. The optimization of the different experimental conditions has been assessed. The suggested methods were applied to assay the tested compounds in tablet forms

Spectrophotometric determination of pindolol via charge transfer complex

Two Pi acceptors, tetracyanoethylene [TCNE], P-chloranilic acid [P-CA] and one epsilon-acceptor, iodine, were used for assay of pindolol by the formation of charge-transfer complexes having intense absorption b and s in the visible region of the spectrum. The molecular ratio of the reactants and experimental conditions, leading to intense charge-transfer b and s, were studied. Compared with the official method, the results of the tablet assays were of equal accuracy [t- test] and reproducibility [f-test]

Spectrophotometric methods in conjunction with thin layer chromatography applied for determination of sugars content in Egyptian honey and glucose syrup

A study was performed to choose the best solvent developer and adsorbent for separation of a sugar mixture composed of glucose, fructose maltose, sucrose and ribose. Thin layer chromatographic separation of the mixture is coupled with spectrophotometric method for its determination as anthrone method, phenol-sulfuric acid method and sulfuric acid method followed by application on the liquid glucose and Egyptian honey to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the content of the sugar in both of them. The solvent developer methanol, chloroform, acetone, water in ratio [2:2:12:1] and ethylacetate, acetic acid, water in ratio [6:3:2] are suitable for separation of the five sugar. On applying the spectrophotometric methods, anthrone method gives the best results among the other tried spectrophotometric methods

Improved spectrophotometric determination of disaccharides, hexoses and pentoses using aniline and its alkyl derivatives

Aniline and its alkyl derivatives in acetic acid media react with hexoses and pentoses to form colored products with characteristic absorption spectra. The spectral for individual hexoses, pentoses and their dehydration products and tend to vary with a given aniline derivative. The chromogen formed showed absorption at wavelength 530, 470 and 330mm. The method was improved and used to determine quantitatively glucoses, fructose, maltose, sucrose and ribose and the result obtained was found to obey Beer's law for a concentration range of [0.4-30mg mL-1] for glucose [0.2-2.2 mg.mL-1] for invert sugar [sucrose], [1-3,4mg.mL-1] for maltose under the specific condition that chosen for determination of each sugar

Micro-determination of reserpine in pharmaceutical formulation

A rapid gas liquid Chromatographic [GLC] method for the determination of reserpine is proposed. The method depends on the trans-esterification of trimethoxybenzoic acid moiety in reserpine molecule with Methelute where the respective methyl ester is GLC monitored. The method succeeded in separating reserpine from the accompanying components in the pharmaceutical preparations and gave linear response curves. The method was successfully applied to the micro-determination of reserpine in various pharmaceutical preparations before and after the addition of standard reserpine

Colorimetric determination of chlorpromazine by acid dye technique

A new sensitive method is described for the determination of Chlorpromazine. The method depends on the additive reaction between chlorpromazine and the acid dye amaranth in solutions of pH 2.5. The additive product is then extracted with chloroform from which the dye is liberated by shaking with a buffered solution of pH 7 and the density of the colour produced is measured at 520 nm