Characterization and solubilization of chitosan from the oriental hornet [vespa orientalis]

Chitosan was extracted from the oriental hornet, Vespa orientalis [L.], Vespinae, Order; Hymenoptera, as a new source of insect chitosan, using chemical methods. We assessed the physical properties of the wasp's chitosan using different approaches including: preliminary color-change identification, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy [FTIR], X-ray diffraction and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy [1H-NMR]. The results showed that it gave a

higher purity, solubility and Degree of Deacetylation [DD] compared to crustacean chitosan. Also, it is soluble in a very low concentration of acetic acid from 0.25% to 0.5% while that of Crustacea was soluble in more than 1% acetic acid, so the oriental hornet could be a novel alternative source of higher pure and more soluble chitosan

Comparison of hearing thresholds obtained by different methods of assessment [subjective and objective] in normal and different forms of hearing loss

This study was designed to compare hearing threshold obtained by different methods of assessment, both subjective and objective, in 60 ears of normal hearing sensitivity and 120 ears with different types, degrees [up to moderately severe] and configuration of hearing loss. Auditory Brainstem Response [ABR] has been found to correlate well with behavioral threshold with certain limits. It cannot differentiate sharply between normal and mild hearing loss with specific configurations such as low frequency and notched hearing loss. Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions [TEOAEs,] response was present when hearing threshold was equal to or better than 45dBHL. So, it cannot differentiate between ears with normal hearing from those with mild hearing loss, so presence of TEOAEs does not always reflect normal hearing sensitivity. Distortion product Otoacoustic Emissions [DPOAEs,] showed that, the response was present when hearing sensitivity was better than 55-60dB. But could not be recorded with hearing threshold greater than 60 dBHL. it is preferable to use a battery of ABR, TEOAEs and immittancemetry to determine hearing threshold in young children and difficult to test subjects to solve overlap between normal hearing and mild degree of hearing loss

Vestibular function evaluation in subjects with noise induced hearing loss

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of noise on the testicular system in subjects with noise induced hearing loss [NIHL] and to detected any possible correlation between vestibular disorders and the degree of hearing loss. This study was conducted at the noisy departments of Assiut university hospital including the diesel, laundry, boilers, air conditioners and the oxygen preparation unit. Audiological and vestibular evaluation were conducted in 70 subjects 50 subjects wit NIHL in the study group and 20 subjects in the control group. The study showed significant deterioration in hearing of noise exposed subjects when compared to the control subjects especially at 4 kHz. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the duration of noise exposure and hearing threshold. There was a significant positive correlation between the duration of noise exposure and vestibular affection. The study revealed a positive correlation between the severity of hearing loss and the degree of vestibular affection. So exposure to noise is particularly hazaradous to inner ear structure causing hearing loss and vestibular disorders and the diagnosis of vestibular malfunction related to NIHL may be of clinical significance beside its medicolegal aspect

Evaluation of hand function in patients on long term hemodialysis and its correlation to the parameters of dialysis

Hemodialysis is associated with deposition of beta-2-microglobulin [beta-2m] in musculoskeletal structures, leading to the syndrome of dialysis related amyloidosis and impairment of hand function. The detection of amyloidosis in several patients on long-term dialysis came as a surprise. The subsequent identification of beta-2m as the main component of dialysis related amyloidosis demonstrated that we were faced with a new, specific complication of long-term renal replacement therapy. To assess the hand function in a cross section of patients undergoing hemodialysis and to correlate it to dialysis duration, efficiency, nutritional status, and other parameters of dialysis. The study comprised two groups: Group A included thirty-nine patients [16 females, 23 males] with end stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Their mean age was 49 +/- 11 years; their mean duration of hemodialysis was 37 +/- 31.8 months. Dialysis efficacy was calculated with the formula of single pool Kt/V. Group B included 20 normal healthy volunteers [8 females and 12 males] as a control group; their mean age was 45 +/- 15 years. All patients and controls were tested as regards kidney functions, hemoglobin, albumin, and parathyroid hormone. Then, the hand function was evaluated with the JAMAR handgrip test [JA Preston Corp, Ontario, Canada] for the dominant and non-dominant hands. beta-2m was significantly elevated in group A in comparison to control group B [34.7 +/- 14.14 versus 3.9 +/- 2.1mg/dl] [p<0.001]. JAMAR hand function test was significantly decreased in patients as compared to controls [25.01 +/- 8.7 versus 42.8 +/- 8.9] [p<0.001]. In group A, 25 out of 39 patients [64%] had abnormal performance of hand function tests used. This percentage was 85% [17 out of 20 patients] for ages above 55 years, while it was 36% [8 out of 19 patients] for ages below 55 years. The JAMAR handgrip test of the dominant hand was highly significant correlated to serum beta-2m levels [r=-0.42, p =0.007], to hemodialysis duration [r=-0.6, p <0.001], and to serum albumin concentration [r=0.57, p <0.01]. While beta-2m positively correlated with hemodialysis duration [r=0.9, p<0.001], it negatively correlated to both parathormone [r=-3.19 p<0.04] and albumin r=-0.55 p<0.001. Hand dysfunction is a common association with long standing chronic dialysis therapy. Hand function negatively correlated to beta-2m, hemodialysis duration. Age and hemodialysis duration were important risk factors for hand dysfunction. We recommend the use of hand function test for the early detection of dialysis related amyloidosis as well as in the serial monitoring of patients on dialysis, especially in patients who are on hemodialysis for at least 5 years and for patients who start dialysis after 55 years of age. This will help to shift those affected patients for using high-flux biocompatible membranes in conjunction with ultra-pure dialysis fluid