Corpus luteum blood flow and pregnancy outcome

Transvaginal color Doppler has made possible to study ovarian perfusion in early pregnancy, thus advancing the understanding of the early human development. The follow up of the luteal blood flow might have a prognostic value in a group of patients with abnormal pregnancy. The aim of this work is to determine whether there is a relationship between Doppler characteristics of the corpus luteum and early pregnancy outcome or not. Two hundred and forty six spontaneous singleton primigravida in their early first trimester [between 6 and 8 week's gestation] were recruited. The corpus luteum site, size, morphological features and vascular pattern was recorded. Both ovaries were examined carefully by colour Doppler and colour flow was used as a guide for pulsed Doppler exploration. The Resistant index was calculated as a function of vascular resistance. The Pulsatility index was also calculated. The pregnancy was followed and fetal losses during the first and early second trimesters were recorded. The candidates were classified according to the fetal outcomes into 2 groups: Group 1: Survirors [204 cases]. Group II: Losses [42 cases]; including the first and early second trimester either spontaneously or missed. Then first trimester's Doppler characteristics of corpus luteum were compared for both survivors and losses. Survivors cases had significantly lower Doppler velocimetry indices for R.1 [0,45 +/- 0.07] compared to losses cases [0.71 +/- 0.06]. On the other hands, survivors cases had lower Doppler velocimetry indices for P.I [0.68 +/- 0.05] compared to losses cases [0.72 +/- 07] but with no significant differences. A high significant negative correlation was observed between the survivors and Doppler velocimetry RI for corpus luterum. The lower the R.I the higher the incidence for fetal survival. However, no significant correlation was found between the survivors and Doppler velocimetry P.I of corpus luteum. A significant positive correlation was observed between the survivors and corpus luteum size. The larger the corpus luteum the higher the incidence for fetal survival. The Doppler characteristics of the corpus luteum [resistant index] have a predictive value for early pregnancy outcome. Also morphological characteristics of the corpus luteum [specially its size] might have a value in predicting early pregnancy outcome. Also, the follow up of the luteal blood flow might have a prognostic value in a group of patients with threatened abortion

Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] as an accurate technique for diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle [with one table and one figure]

At Fayoum Governorate, blood samples were collected from 124 Friesian cattle to determine the prevalence of brucellosis using Tube Agglutination Test [TAT]. Among the examined animals positive titers [more than 1/20] were recorded in 37 animals with a prevalence rate of 29.8%. The prevalence of brucellosis was significantly higher [p<0.05] in adult [35.8%] than young [12.5%] animals. Infected animals showed signs of late stage abortion beginning from the fifth months to the nine months, retained placentas and mastitis. Microbiological culture from the aborted fetuses, vaginal swabs and milk samples on tryptic soya agar after addition of brucella supplement revealed Brucella abortus in 9 animals out of the 37 serologically positive animals. Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] on two blood samples obtained from serologically and bacteriologically negative cows showed positive PCR results. Moreover, PCR on 5 milk samples obtained from cows showed serologically positive and bacteriologically negative results gave positive PCR reactions. In addition blood sample was taken from human attendant in infected farm showed positive serological TAT [Titer 1/160 but results of PCR gave negative results. Finally it can be concluded that PCR is more sensitive technique than cultures and more specific than TAT

Comparative study between fentanyl and sufentanyl in continuous extradural analgesia during labour

Continuous epidural administration of bupivacaine combined with fentanyl and sufentanil for obstetric analgesia provides adequate pain relief with a relatively rapid onset of analgesia and preservation of the motor functions as well as other sensations. The aim of this study is to establish the best technique of the extra dural block during labour using sufentanil and fentanyl combined with low dose of bupivacaine and assess the quality of analgesia and incidence of side effects. Sixty parturients from those attended labour wards in the active phase of the first stage of labour were classified into 3 groups each of them 20 parturients. Group I given bupivacaine, group II given bupivacaine and fentanyl and group III given bupivacaine and sufentanil. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups just before injection of study solution, but such difference was statisticantly significant after 10 minutes between group I and II and group III with P value<0.01. At 30 minutes after injection path score was lower for the three groups than that at zero time but the pain score was still lower for group II, and III if compared with group I with P value<0.01. There was no statistically significant difference in the maternal heart rate [MHR] between the three groups before and after injection and in group I there was drop of maternal arterial blood pressure [MABP] with no effect in group II and III at the time of injection but there was statistically significant drop in MABP after 1 hour of injection in group I, otherwise, there was no significant difference in MAP between the three groups through the time of the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups as regard of Apgar score either after 1 or 5 minutes as regard of umbilical vein blood gases. There was no significant difference between the three groups as regards PO[2], PCO2, pH. From this study we concluded that, the use of combined bupivacaine fentanyl or sufentanil epidurally for control of labour pain as these regimens guarantee the rapid-onset and better quality of analgesia with no effect on mode of delivery or neonatal outcome

Influence of day of embryo transfer on the outcome of ICSI cycle

Since the birth of Louise Brown, implatation rate per embryo is the most important limiting factor in successful ICSI cycle. Blastocyst is claimed to be logic solution for this problem by its high implantation rate. Randomized prospective clinical study. To study benefits and pitfalls of blastocyst transfer. Patients and One hundred and seventeen candidates were divided into 2 groups. Group I [n=58] in whom at least 4 grade I embryos were transferred on day 3. Group II [n=57] in whom two to three blastocyst were transferred. Clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 27.6% in day 3 group compared to 31.6% in blastocyst group while multiple pregnancy rate was 43.4% and 33.3% respectively. Blastocyst transfer is a reasonable solution for the problem of multiple pregnancy but it is not associated with significant increase in the pregnancy rate

Validation of simple method for rapid detection of listeria monocytogenes in raw milk and kariesh cheese

Sixty raw milk and Karish cheese samples [30 of each] collected from dairy shops and street vendors were analyzed for presence of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species using both conventional method and another simple method for rapid detection of the organism. Listeria monocytogenes was found in 3 [10%] and 5 [16.6%] of the examined raw milk and Karish cheese samples, respectively. The method used in the study proved high consistency with the conventional one. Isolates revealed from positive samples were identified biochemically using both conventional method and Minitek system. Listeria murrayi L. ivanovi and L. grayi were isolated in percentages ranged between 25 and 37.5 of 8 isolates revealed from raw milk samples, while of 14 isolates obtained from karish cheese samples, Listeria grayi L. murrayi and L. seeligeri were identified in percentages of 50, 28.5 and 21.4, respectively. Sources, conditions associated with this pathogen and how to control its incidence in dairy products were discussed, in addition to validation of the used method

Using the micro ID for rapid identification of E coli O157: H7 Kareish cheese

A total of thirty two samples of Karish cheese collected randomly from dairy shops and markets in Cairo and Giza were screened for the presence of Escherichia coli O157: H7 using the commercial Micro ID system for biochemical identification. Only 3 samples [9.3%] were presumptively positive for E. coli O157: H7 on plates of sorbitol MacConky agar number 3. Nine isolates were taken from typical colonies. Of these isolates, four were positive when retested as pure cultures with the Micro ID system and confirmed to be E. coli, while only two of the identified isolates were serotyped as O157: H7

Studies of the mycological quality of infant milk foods

160 r and om samples of dried infant milk foods representing four br and s [40 samples br and A locally made based infant formula, 40 samples br and B imported milk based infant formula, 80 samples br and C and D imported infant milk powder] were collected from different pharmacies in Cairo and Giza to be mycologically examined. Yeasts and moulds were detected in 35, 20, 15, and 27.5% of examined samples of br and s A, B, C, and D with mean counts of 41.42, 30, 35, and 21.81/g, respectively. Yeasts were isolated from 5%, 2.5%, and 5% of examined milk br and s A, B, C, and D, respectively, while moulds were detected in 35%, 20%, 15%, and 22.5% with a mean value of 39.28, 23.75, 30, and 42.44/g of examined br and s, respectively. Yeasts and moulds belonging to the genera C and ida, Saccharomyces, Rhodotorula, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Absidia, and Scopulariopsis were isolated from the examined milk br and s. The significance of isolated fungi as well as suggestive control measures for production and h and ling of the infant milk foods were discussed