Risk assessment of hexamethylene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diamine in the polyurethane factories

To determine the risk assessment of diisocyanate for workers and HDI concentration in the indoor air. For air monitoring 100 air samples were obtained using National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] 5522 and for biological monitoring 50 urine samples were collected from the workers and analyzed with using William's biological analysis method. The results showed high maximum concentration of hexamethylene diisocyanate [more than 88micro g/m[3]] when compared to the NIOSH standard and high concentration of hexamethylene diamine in the worker's urine. Multiple regression models were obtained to predict of HDI risk in the polyurethane factories

Dopamine and migraine: a review

Dopamine has been incriminated to play a role in the pathophysiology of migraine headache since 1977 when Sicuteri proposed that a dopaminergic hypersensitivity exists in migraine. Lance pointed out that since nausea often precedes the headache, then changes in brainstem dopaminergic neurotransmission must be part of an attack. Dopamine receptor hypersensitivity in migraineurs, has been demonstrated by the induction of yawning, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and other symptoms of a migraine attack by dopaminergic agonists at doses that do not affect nonmigraineurs. Conversely, dopamine receptor antagonists are effective therapeutic agents in migraine. Recent genetic data suggest that molecular variations within dopamine receptor genes play a modifying role in the pathophysiology of migraine with aura. Therefore, modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission should be considered in the therapeutic management of migraine

Efficacy of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a small sample of Sudanese children

A prospective clinical trial was carried out to determine in vivo efficacy of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children in New Halfa. Forty patients were enrolled; 31 completed the 28-day follow-up. Six [19.4%] patients showed recurrence of parasitaemia during follow-up, while the rest [80.6%] cleared the parasites and responded fully to treatment. All the failures were late treatment failures. Parasite genotyping showed that 1 [16.7%] of the 6 cases of late parasitaemia was due to reinfection while the rest [83.4%] were due to true recrudescence. During the follow-up period 22.6% of patients showed gametocytaemia. The high level of treatment failure as well as gametocytaemia necessitates the introduction of artesunate in this combination therapy

Low-dose quinine for treatment of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in Sudanese pregnant women

Pregnant Sudanese women who presented at a hospital in eastern Sudan with chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria were randomly allocated to one of two quinine regimens: low-dose [10 mg/kg 2 times/day] [18 patients] or st and ard [10 mg/kg 3 times/day] [24 patients]. Treatment was for 7 days and follow-up for 28 days. Significantly fewer patients in the low-dose group reported vomiting and abdominal pain than the st and ard regimen group. Hypoglycaemia, preterm labour and recrudescence were slightly but not significantly higher in patients in the st and ard group than low-dose group. There were no significant differences between the groups in the mean time from admission to remission of fever and parasite clearance. We tentatively advocate the use of quinine 2 times/day to reduce side-effects and improve compliance

Improvement of liver functions in HCV patients

This study was carried out to investigate and evaluate the role of colchicine/silymarin and antox tablets [antioxidants] on improving the desirable effect of colchicine on liver functions of HCV patients. The reported data indicated biochemically and hematologically, that colchicine/silymarin administration for 12 months displayed better improvement than that of colchicine alone. Moreover, a mix of colchicine/silymarin and antox exerted potent effect on liver functions of HCV volunteers. On the other h and, the prementioned medications did not induce any significant alterations in several parameters that may be of value, in heart and kidney functions, lipids, minerals and pancreas as well as glucose. These findings revealed that, the treatment by the test drugs together may improve the liver response to antiviral drug in HCV patients

Neutrophil phagocytic and killing activities in children with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Phagocytic activity, lytic activity and nitroblue tetrazolium [N.V.T] reduction capacity were assayed in children with G-6-P-D deficiency. 30 children were included; 10 as controls, 20 with severe G-6-P-D deficiency. All were subjected to complete blood picture, screening test of G-6-P-D deficiency, quantitative determination of G-6-P-D, estimation of phagocytic and lytic activity of the neutrophils using Candida albicans and estimation of N.B.T. reduction activity of the neutrophils using Candida albicans and estimation of N.B.T reduction activity of neutrophils. The study showed the phagocytic activity of neutrophils to be normal, while the lytic activity and N.B.T reduction ability were significantly decreased in G-6-P-D deficient group when compared with the control group. There was a positive correlation between erythrocyte G-6-P-D activity and N.B.T reduction capacity by neutrophils of patient group. Lastly, it was found that neutrophil bactericidal activity and N.B.T reduction capacity are deficient in subjects with G-6-P-D deficiency, and this plays a significant role in creasing incidence of infection among such children

Value of ultrasonography in evaluation of children with urinary tract infection

One hundred and twelve children with proven urinary tract infection [UTI] were enrolled in this study. Their ages ranged between 4 weeks to 13 years [mean of 5.2 years]. Both sexes were included [33 males and 79 females]. For all children renal ultrasonography [US], intravenous pyelography [IVP] and voiding cystourethrography [VCUG] were performed and the results were compared and discussed. No pathological findings were detected by any of the 3 means in 72 cases [64.3 percent], while functional or anatomical abnormalities were seen in 40 cases [35.7 percent] by one or more of the 3 imaging techniques. Vesicoureteral reflux was detected in 23 cases [57.5 percent of the total pathologic findings], and other lower urinary tract pathologies in 5 cases [12.5 percent].US and IVP were well correlated in 103 of the 112 patients [91.96 percent]. In the remaining 9 children in whom there was a discrepancy between the two diagnostic modes US failed to detected findings that were noted by IVP in 6 cases with considerably negligible findings in absence of reflux, while IVP failed to detect the diffuse parenchymal disease revealed by US in 2 cases. The 9[th] case showed false positive findings in US. We also documented a significant volume increase in one or both kidneys with acute infection [detected by US] in children having an upper urinary tract infection [UUTI]. All children [except one] classified as having UUTI had renal volume of [+1 SD] of the mean of control group, 83 percent of them had hugely enlarged kidneys [+2 SD] while only 2 children with lower urinary tract infection [LUTI] had unilateral renal volume increase of+1 SD. So, we conclude that US can replace IVP in the initial screening of children with UTI, to be followed by VCUG. IVP is done only whenever more anatomical visualisation of the upper urinary tract is required

Metabolic studies concerning the effect of castration in rabbits

The effect of castration i.e. deficiency of testosterone, on protein metabolism was studied in rabbits for two months. The results revealed a significant decrease in total protein, albumin, alpha1, and alpha2 globulin throughout the experimental periods. Meanwhile, beta and gamma globulins displayed a temporarily increase and a delayed decrease respectively. On the other hand, the catabolic product compounds, uric acid and urea but not creatinine increased significantly. Moreover, liver function test transaminases [S. GPT and S. GOT], alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase [gamma-GT] displayed no significant alterations throughout the experimental periods. These results indicated that the possible increase in the weight of the animal is not due to excessive meat production but a possible increase in fat deposition as a consequence of new docile behaviour of the castrated animal

Some biochemical alterations as influenced by hyperviataminosis D3

The effect of daily administration of vitamin D3 indifferent doses [500, 1000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000 and 100.000 I.U/Kg b.wt.] on serum calcium [Ca], calcium bound protein [Ca BP], inorganic phosphorus [IP], lipoproteins and protein fractions was studied for 4 weeks in albino rats. The data revealed a marked elevation in serum Ca, Ca Bp and IP and a significant increase in beta-lipoprotein. Hypoalbuminemia and subsequent decrease in A/G ratio was observed. A marked increase in y-globulin was found with low doses of vitamin D3. A reversed pattern occurred when high doses of vitamin D3 were given. These results confirmed the harmful effect of hypervitaminosis D3

Serum proteins and triglycerides after oxamniquine administration in normal and schistosomal infected mice

The effect of oxamniquine on serum proteins and triglycerides was studied in mice. A single oral dose of oxamniquine [50 mg/kg b.w.] was administered after three months from the schistosomal infection. The same dose was given also to normal control group of animals. Blood samples were withdrawn prior to drug administration and periodically every two weeks for two months. It was concluded that oxamniquine caused an elevation on serum alpha1, alpha2 beta and total globulins in normal mice. In schistosomal infected mice, oxamniquine administration inhibited the abnormalities in A/G ratio and significantly decreased triglycerides