impact of cytomegalovirus infection on mechanically ventilated patients in the respiratory and geriatric intensive care units

Reactivation of cytomegalovirus [CMV] has been reported in critically ill patients [especially elderly] lying in the intensive care units. So identifying such patients to treat is important. To detect the frequency of CMV infection in mechanically ventilated patients, and its correlation with patients' risk factors, and outcomes. The present study was carried out on 51 mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the Respiratory [20] and Geriatric ICU [31] of the Ain Shams University hospitals over a 3 month period. Serum CMV load was measured by real-time PCR. The overall rate of active CMV infection by RT-PCR among the studied populations was [68.6%], [77.4%] in patients of geriatric ICU versus [55%] in respiratory ICU patients. Comparison between CMV positive and negative cases showed a significant difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality rate. A statistically higher CMV load was recorded in respiratory ICU patients admitted due to exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease or stroke and developing ventilator associated pneumonia [VAP] or septic shock. Also there was a significant direct correlation between CMV load and age of the patient, duration of mechanical ventilation and duration of ICU stay CMV infection is frequent in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients especially the elderly. It is associated with poor outcomes, leads to increased mortality and morbidity in terms of increased ICU stay, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, and higher rates of nosocomial infections

Establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures of cassia bicapsularis L.

Callus cultures were initiated from leaf of Cassia bicapsularis L. on solid Murashige and Skoog [MS] basal medium supplemented with different growth regulators. Excellent growth of callus was obtained in medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2, 4-D] and grown in the dark. The obtained callus was subcultured every 4 weeks in the dark at 25°C. The Callus was compact, yellowish brown in color and used for establishment of cell suspension cultures. Maximum growth of suspension cultures was achieved in medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 2, 4-D and 0.1 mg/l kinetin. The growth rate of cells was initially slow but as the cultures proceeded, the growth increased significantly over a period of 22 days then the growth of cells was stable for 35 days

Analysis of the effect of radiotherapy on malignant pleural mesothelioma when given on adjuvant or palliative basis / 中国肺癌杂志

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the response and survival of malignant pleural mesothelioma to radiotherapy when delivered with surgery and chemotherapy and when delivered alone or with chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A study for 110 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who presented to radiotherapy department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo and received radiation therapy in the period fromJanuary 1999 to July 2007.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-six patients (41.8%) received trimodality therapy (surgery & adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy & adjuvant radiotherapy), while bimodality therapy (chemotherapy & radiotherapy) in 38 patients (34.5%), while 26 patients (23.6%) received single modality therapy (palliative radiotherapy), 22 patients (20%) developed local recurrence, 22 patients (20%) developed distant metastases months, 14 patients (12.7%) developed local disease progression, 25 patients (22.7%) are still alive and free of disease at time of reporting. The median survival for all patients was 16 months, while 12 and 18 months overall survival were 63.6% & 31.8% respectively while median survival for stage II, III, IV patients was 16.5, 12.5 and 8 months respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multimodality approach involving surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been evaluated and proved its superiority in improving survival, especially in stages II.</p>

Pathological and parasitological studies on Toxoplasmosis as a causative agent of abortion among goats in Egypt

To investigate the role of toxoplasmosis in abortion of goats in Egypt, a total of 130 balady goats [2-3 years old], were used for this study. ELISA kit was used for detection of antibodies against T.gondii in does. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alteration were also used for diagnosis of natural Toxoplasma infection of goats. The results indicated that, out of 130 examined animals 67 [51,54%] were infected with T.gondii. The hematological findings revealed decrease in red blood cell count, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration [normocytic normochromic anaemia], and leukocytosis. The biochemical findings were significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin and globulin. Also, there was significant increase in ALT, AST, and ALP enzyme activity, urea and creatinine levels. The characteristic pathological lesion in aborted fetuses consists of focal or diffuse necrotic foci and infiltration with round cells in the brain, with other pathological alterations in lungs, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and intestine. Toxoplasma organisms were demonstrated in these organs as single trophozoites, or within the cysts. The results indicated also, that clinic-pathological examination supported serologically by ELISA could be useful for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in goats. Public health aspects of T. gondii infection in goats were discussed as well

predictive value of thrombocytopenia for bleeding or liver decompensation following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis

To assess if thrombocytopenia has a predictive value for bleeding and/or liver decompensation following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation [RFA] therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] in patients with liver cirrhosis. 64 consecutive patients with cirrhosis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma, and associated with mild thrombocytopenia ranged from 37 to 99 x 10[9] platelets/L, and had undergone percutaneous RFA for treatment 86 hccs, were retrospectively studied. Nine possible factors were analyzed for their ability to predict bleeding or liver decompensation using the Cox proportional hazards regression model; Age, sex, Child-Pugh class, etiology of cirrhosis, platelet count, prothrombin activity, number of tumors, maximum size of the tumor, and type of electrode. It was shown that platelet threshold of 37 x 10[9]/L and the other variables were not significant risk factors of bleeding. Statistical [univariante and multivariente] analysis revealed that liver decompensation was clearly linked to prothrombin activity [p = 0,010 and p = 0.006, respectively] and < 63% of prothrombin activity was found to be a significant threshold for the occurrence of liver decompensation [p = 0.003] confirmed by Cox model [p = 0.05] Mild thrombocytopenia > 37 x 109/L is not an independent risk factor of bleeding or liver decompensation after RFA therapy of HCC in patient with cirrhosis. However, in such situation a significant higher risk of liver decompensation followed the procedure was found in cases of prothrombin activity < 63%.Radiofrequency ablation, hepatocellular carcinoma, thrombocytopenia, prothrombin activity, liver cirrhosis RFA= radiofrequency ablation, HCC = hepatocellular carcinoma, US = ultrasonography, CT = computed tomography

effects of ultraviolet B [UV-B] radiation on albino rat cornea and epitheial cells

To evaluate the influence of UV-B radiation on the cornea and epithelial cells of the albino rat. 100 Sprague-Dawely rats were divided in 4 groups with different ages [3, 6, 10, 18 weeks] and control one. Exposed 4 groups were irradiated to UVB with wave length 300nm and intensity of 8 kj/m2. Each group was divided into 2 sub-groups [A and B] according to the time of exposure [15 and 30 minutes]. The control group [C] was divided into 5 rats for each group. One week after exposure cornea was removed to evaluate the histopathological changes. Groups were compared by evaluating the difference between exposed and non-exposed cornea. Exposure to 15 minutes UV-B showed degenerative changes in all ages and increased with time of exposure. Epithelial hyperplasia was 25% in 6 weeks group exposed to 15 minutes of UV-B and 33.3% with 30 minutes of exposure. In 18 weeks group hyperplasia was 25% after 30 minutes of exposure. Epithelial thinning was detected only in 3 and 18 weeks groups after exposure to 30 minutes of UV-B by 33.3%. Epithelial erosion was 16.6% in 10 weeks group after 30 minutes of exposure. Stromal blood vessels were detected in exposed groups to 30 minutes of radiation in 6, 10 weeks by 16.6% and 41.6%. Stromal edema was detected in all ages exposed to 15 and 30 minutes of UV-B. Exposure to UV-B comeal epithelial and stromal changes which increase with time of exposure

effects of ultraviolet B [UV-B] radiation on the lens in albino rats in different ages and times of exposure

To investigate the effects of UVB radiation on the crystalline lens of the rat lens. 100 Sprague-Dawely rats were divided in 4 groups with different ages [3, 6, 10 and 18 weeks] and control one [20 rats in each group]. Exposed 4 groups were irradiated to UVB with wave length 300nm and intensity of 8kj/m2. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups [A and B] according to the time of exposure [15 and 30 minutes]. The control group [C] was divided into 5 rats for each group. One week after exposure, both lenses were removed for morphological changes and for histopathology. Groups were compared by evaluating the difference between exposed and non-exposed lenses. Early cortical cataract [vacuoles] was not detected in all [B] groups, and appeared in all [A] groups As except E4 group. Cortical cataract appeared in both exposed groups and the increased with age. Equatorial cataract was detected in all ages and the incidence increased in rats of [A] groups. Sutural cataract was more in young groups and the incidence increased with time of exposure to UV-B it was not detected in E4 group. Early nuclear and nuclear cataract was more in young ages and increased time of exposure. UV-B has powerful effects on the rat lens and development of different types of cataract, which differs according to the age and time of exposure. The more exposure to UV-B the more the cataract develops

Assessment the effectiveness of hematopoietic growth factors on hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in albino rats with induced bone marrow suppression

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hematopoietic growth factors [erythropoietin and granulocyte colony stimulating factor] on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy and bone marrow suppression of rats and to investigate the role of hematopoietic stem cells in liver regeneration by assessment of CD 34+ hematopoietic stem cells marker in hepatic tissues. 36 adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided into six groups each of 6 rats: the 1st is the control group, the 2nd is bone marrow suppression group, 3rd is subjected to partial hepatectomy, 4th is subjected to bone marrow suppression by benzene, then 70% partial hepatectomy, 5th is subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy with injection of Eprex and Neupogen at time of partial hepatectomy, then daily for 5 days post hepatectomy and the 6th group is subjected to bone marrow suppression by benzene first then 70% partial hepatectomy with injection of Eprex and Neupogen daily for 5 days post hepatectomy. Histological evaluation and immunohistochemical study for CD34+ cells in the hepatic tissues were assessed. There were no regenerative changes in both control and benzene treated groups. There were little regenerative changes in the group of partial hepatectomy after benzene treatment but in the groups that were treated with the hematopoietic growth factors. These regenerative changes were increased especially in the treated group after partial hepatectomy than treated group after partial hepatectomy and bone marrow suppression. Immunostaining of CD34 expression as marker of HSCs in liver sections showed the following; the normal group, benzene treated group and partially hepatectomized group after benzene treatment showed no expression, but partially hepatectomized group show focally positive expression. Both groups treated with hematopoietic growth factors either after partial hepatectomy or after partial hepatectomy and bone marrow suppression by benzene show diffusely positive expression. The present study had shown that Erythropoietin and Granulocyte colony stimulating factors stimulate regenerative process occurred in the liver after partial hepatectomy only and after partial hepatectomy with bone marrow suppression either by endogenous mechanisms or by mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells

Assessment of hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in albino rats with induced bone barrow suppression

The liver has a remarkable capacity to regenerate after injury. Within a week after partial hepatectomy [PH] hepatic mass is back essentially to what it was prior to surgery. Hematopoietic stem cells [HSCs] may contribute in the regeneration and the renewal capacity of hepatocytes. To investigate the origin of hepatocytes in liver regeneration whether from resident hepatic stem cells or from circulated HSCs after suppression of HSCs from bone marrow by Benzene This experimental study included 24 adult male albino rats. The studied animals were divided into 4 groups; first group [control group] was included 6 normal rats. No intervention was carried out to this group of rates. Second group [PH] group] was included 6 rats in which 70% PH was done. Third group [Benzene group] was included 6 rats of in which bone marrow [BM] suppression was carried out by Benzene injection. Ten injections were performed subcutaneously in a period of 3 weeks for induction of BM suppression. Fourth group [Benzene+ PH group] was included 6 rats in which BM suppression was carried out as 3rd group. Seventy percent PH was then done to them. Cytological changes during regeneration were assessed in all groups by; the number of binucleate cells and the restored number of hepatocytes. Mitotic index was performed in the second and the fourth groups. The percent of regeneration was also calculated. Immunohistochemistry technique was used for detection of CD34+ cells markers in liver tissues by using anti CD34+ cells antibodies [this technique is done in group 4 only]. Our results found that mean weights of rats and assumed liver weights, there were no statistical significant differences between the studied groups. PH group had shown higher regeneration rate than Benzene+ PH group; the former showed a mean loss of 19% [81 +/- 2.1% of regeneration] of their original weight by the end of the first week, and the latter a mean loss of 30% [70 +/- 0.7% of regeneration]. Number of binucleate cells there was a significant difference in benzene treated group compared to control group [p<0.05]. Mitotic index there was significant higher mitotic index in partially hepatectomized after bone marrow suppression by benzene than partially hepatectomized group [p<0.05]. We had used CD34 [CBRE8] antibody in our. It is indicated that the hepatocytes can regenerate the liver and restore its original size. Hematopoietic stem cells may habitat the endothelial cells in the liver. Their role in hepatic regeneration doesn't appear early after partial hepatectomy it mobilized from bone marrow to the damaged liver rlay in the liver tissues for long time [> 7 days] then differentiate into non parynchematous liver tissues

Effects of postnatal exposure to static magnetic field on the development of the cerebellar granule cells

Many studies were performed to evaluate the effects of static magnetic fields [SMFs] on the processes of proliferation and migration of cerebellar cells to their final postnatal destinations. Granule cells are the most abundant interneurons in the cerebellum. Progenitors of these neurons actively proliferate during the first 2 postnatal weeks in external granular layer [EGL]. The granule cells in the EGL migrate inwards to form the internal granular layer [IGL], and the EGL disappears. So the postnatal development of the cerebellum depends on their postnatal proliferation and migration which is vulnerable to any micro-environmental insult. to evaluated the light and electron microscopic changes occurred to the cerebellar granule cells of the pups after postnatal exposure to SMF [20 mT]. Postnatal exposure to SMFs showed that there was a significant thinning in the EGL at the beginning of the study at postnatal thy 4, this significant decrease in thickness progressed in the first week. At two weeks when normally the EGL starts to disappear, it showed persistent increase in its thickness indicating delayed migration. At all ages of exposed group [P], EGL contained many apoptotic cells and some degenerated cells. IGL showed significant decrease in its cellular density till the postnatal day 15 concomitant with the period of delayed migration in the EGL. At the postnatal days 22, the cells in IGL began to regain its near normal cellular density but the IGL showed disarrangement of its crowded granule cells with absence of appearance of regular glomeruli among them with appearance of some degenerated cells among the granule cells. Many cells of the IGL also showed areas of cytoplasmic vacuolation. Postnatal exposure to SMFs produces some delay in the development and appearance of more apoptotic cells. But some of these changes in different stages of the postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex began to be less apparent with advancement of age

Effects of prenatal exposure to static magnetic field on the development of the cerebellar purkinje cells

Many studies were performed to evaluate the effects of static magnetic fields [SMFs] on the processes of proliferation and migration of cerebellar cells to their final postnatal destinations. Purkinje cell [PC] as one of the most critical station for all afferent input to the cerebellum as well as the major output from the cerebellum either direct or indirect through the other cerebellar neurons and development of Purkinje cells depends on their postnatal migration which is vulnerable to any micro-environmental insult. To evaluate the light and electron microscopic changes occurred to the cerebellar PCs of the pups after prenatal exposure to SMF [20 mT]. Prenatal exposure showed a significant decrease in the number of PCs as compared with that number in the control group throughout the time of study with appearance of some pathological changes at the cellular level obvious from the postnatal day 4 till the end of the study, as there were many apoptotic cells, few cells degenerated with astrocytosis near the Purkinje cells with large cytoplasmic vacuoles inside the cells and many cells became atrophied cells. The prenatal exposure to static magnetic field led to decrease ability of the proliferation, delay in the development and appearance of some degenerative changes in different stages of the postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex and these changes persisted till the adult life

Spectrophotometric determination of dropropizine in pure form and phrmaceutical formulation

Three new simple, different and sensitive spectrophotometric methods are suggested for the determination of Dropropizine [DRO]. The first is based on the reduction of ferric into ferrous in presence of 0-phenanthroline by the mentioned drug to form a highly stable orange-red ferroin chelate[Fe-[Phen][3]][2+], measured at [lambda][max] 510.5 nm for zero-order [D[degree sign]] while the peak amplitude was measured at 537.5 the nm for the first derivative [D[1]] using distilled deionized water as a solvent. Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 0.5-2.2 micro g/ml for both D[degree sign] and D[1] with mean percentage recoveries of 100.08 +/- 1.370 and 100.03 +/- 1.064, respectively. The second method is based on the reaction of DRO with 7,7,8,8- tetracyanoquinodimethane [TCNQ] in acetonitrile solvent to form a highly stable charge transfer colored complex that was measured at 734.5 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 10-55 micro g/ml with mean percentage recovery of 99.93 +/- 1.070. The last method is based on the reaction of DRO with cerium [IV] ammonium sulphate in acidic medium to form a highly stable colored oxidative product that was measured at 486.5 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in a concentration range 145 - 335 micro g/ml with mean percentage recovery of 99.67 +/- 1.077. The optimum assay conditions and their applicability for the determination of the cited drug in pharmaceutical formulation were described. The proposed methods were statistically compared with the reported method revealing good accuracy and precision

Determination of antigenic patterns of three taenia extracts and their use for differential diagnosis of taeniasis by immunoblot

Immunoserological differential diagnosis of Taenia spp. is the major contribution of the present work. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] was used to analyze the protein components of three Taenia extracts prepared from Cysticercus bovis, Taenia saginata and Taenia taeniaeformis. Antigenic components of the three taeniid antigens revealed by [SDS-PAGE] were: [I] Cysticercus bovis cystic fluid antigen: 180, 116, 90, 66, 45, 26, 17 and 10 kD. [II] Taenia saginata excretory secretory antigen [ES]: 198, 180, 146, 116, 55, 45, 35 and 26 kD. [III] Taenia taeniaeformis whole crude antigen 170, 140, 120, 116, 66, 55, 45, 35, 26, 17 and 10 kD. The characterized extracts were used as antigens in Western Blot [WB] technique. Sera from immunized rabbits with Cysticercus bovis fluid antigens were used in detecting a variety of immunogenic bands: [I] Cysticercus bovis: 160, 116, 86, 52, 45, 38 and 29 kD. [II] Taenia saginata: 86, 68 and 10 kD. [III] Taenia taeniaeformis: 170, 116, 86, 68, 52, 45 and 29 kD. The present results suggested that the diagnostic bands by Western Blotare 160 and 38 kD for Cysticercus bovis, 10 kD for Taenia saginata [ES] antigen and 170 kD for Taenia taeniaeformis

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on some blood categories in osteoarthritis patients

Evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids [omega-3] on serum lipids [cholesterol and triglycerides] and blood pressure levels in osteoarthritis [OA] patients. 200 female OA patients from Assiut University Hospitals, were diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria [ACR]. They were submitted to socioeconomic history taking, clinical and rheumatological examination and laboratory investigations. They were equally divided to four groups as follows: group [1]: patients were treated with physiotherapy only [control group]. [2]: patients treated with physiotherapy + omega-3 fatty acids [3 capsuleslday]. [3]: patients treated with physiotherapy + [5gm/day linseed oil]. [4]: patients treated with physiotherapy + [350 gm/week fishorsalamon]. Statistical analysis and nutrition education were applied Revealed that mean level of cholesterol was significantly reduced in the participiant OA patients at [P<0.01, P<0.000, P<0.05]. Also serum triglycerides concentration was significantly decreased in patients taking omega-3 fatty acids as linseed oil and fish [group 3 and 4]. The erthrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] was significant decreased in OA patients taking omega-3 fatty acids [groups2,3,4]. Omega-3 fatty acids from capsules, or linseed oil or fish decreased the systolic blood pressure. Also it was clear that knee joints which are affected were the most common, while hip joints were the least

Microwave mediated facile synthesis of some novel pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazole, pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine and triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine pendant to pyrrole

The synthetic potency of E-3-[dimethylamino]-1-[1H-pyrrol-2-yl]prop-2-en-1-one towards some nitrogen nucleophiles was investigated under microwave irradiations as a convenient route for the synthesis of some novel pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazole, pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine and Triazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine derivatives

Coproantigen versus EGG antigen in immunodiagnosis of intestinal capillariasis using Western Blot Technique

Capillaria philippinensis is a zoonotic nematode that causes severe diarrheal syndromes in humans. C. philippinensis coproantigen and egg antigen were fractionated using SDS-PAGE. Several protein bands were detected in both antigens. Protein profile of coproantigen of C. philippinensis infected patient included wide range of bands ranging from 10- 180 kD. Protein profile of egg antigen revealed only few bands detected at 10, 34- 36.5, and 148 kD. Using Western blot, a variety of protein bands were recognized by the infected patient serum. When tested against coproantigen, it detected a wide range of antigenic proteins at different molecular weight [10, 14, 34-36.5, 48, 54, 62, 66, 86, 94, and 148 kD respectively]. None of these bands were detected in normal human feces. When tested against egg antigen, the infected patient serum detected only two faint antigenic bands at 62 and 66 kD. It is concluded that coproantigen was more convenient than egg antigen in diagnosis of capillariasis by WB

Assessment of needle stick injuries and related knowledge among health care workers participating in an infection control-training program at El Minia University Hospital

Needle stick injuries are an important and continuing cause of exposure to serious and fatal diseases among health care workers [HCWs] who suffer daily accidental occupational exposure to needle stick injuries during the course of their role of caring for patients to determine the burden of needle stick injuries, its causes and knowledge related to it among HCW participating in an infection control training program at Minia University Hospital [MUH]. A well-structured pre- and post-training questionnaires about general infection control knowledge was used and included also 10 basic knowledge questions and inquiries about incidents of needle sticks, its frequency and cause, and history of hepatitis B vaccination. A total of 278 physicians and 56 dentists participated in this study. Dentists were younger than physicians, and had a slightly higher knowledge score than physicians. We found that 63.2% of the participating physicians and dentists experienced at lease one needle stick during their practice. About 61% and 71.4% of the physicians and dentists experienced at lease one needle stick during their practice, respectively, suggesting that dentists were more likely to be exposed to needle stick injuries than physicians. The overall mean of needle stick injuries per year among the participants was 4.42 [ +/- 1.83]. However, the average numbers of sticks were 4.51 [ +/- 1.87] and 4.03 [ +/- 1.77] among the participating physicians and dentists, respectively. Self-inflicting injuries during bending or recapping of a used needle was the most frequent cause of needle sticks [41% for physicians and 59% for dentists]. Nearly 72% of the participants were categorized as excellent in basic knowledge regarding infection control. Also, knowledge of needle stick management significantly improved by 63.3% and 7.8% post-training among dentists and physicians, respectively. Importantly, as the knowledge score increases, the liability to be injured by needles decreased. On the other hand, physicians were three times more likely to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B virus [HBV] than dentists although the overall vaccination rate was very low [15.2% vs. 4.2% among physicians and dentists, respectively]. needle stick injuries are common among HCW of MUH and recapping and bending of needles are prevalent inappropriate practices that increase the likelihood of needle sticks. Ensuring that HCW are properly trained on safe use and disposal of sharps will make this practice safer

Outer membrane protein analysis of ampicillin-resistant isolates of Haemophilus influenzae from Saudi Arabia

Haemophilus influenzae isolates characterized in a previously published study from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were analysed by outer membrane protein [OMP] profiling, Isolates from patients with confirmed respiratory tract infections were investigated. Antibiotic susceptibility tests in vitro showed 25/129 [19.4%] had various degrees of reduced susceptibility to ampicillin although all were fully susceptible to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. OMP profiles of the beta-lactamase mediated ampicillin-resistant and beta-lactamase negative; ampicillin intermediate resistant strains [BLNAI] isolated were investigated. Dendrograms of scanned SDS-PAGE of these strains showed 15 different groupings from the 15 non-typable [NTHi] isolates tested demonstrating a high degree of heterogeneity whereas the 5 Hib isolates demonstrated significantly closer relatedness and were probably clonat. The present study demonstrates the groupings of H. influenzae strains by OMP profile analysis which did not correlate with the beta-lactamase production ability, BLNAI isolates, geographical origin or biotype

Use of silicone gel sheets in combination with pressure garments in prevention of hypertrophic scarring; is it effective?

Patients can have a wide range of problems related to scars, in terms of cosmesis, function, symptoms, psychological problems and overall quality of life issues. Hypertrophic scars can be reduced by the application of silicone dressing; however, the detailed mechanism of silicone action is still unknown. It is known that silicone gel sheets Cerederm[R] cause a hydration of the epidermal layer of the skin. An in vitro coculture experiment has shown that hydration of keratinocytes had a suppressive effect on the metabolism of the underlying fibroblasts resulting in reduced collagen deposition. This study was conducted on 80 linear scars, 40 patients with post abdominoplasty scars, and 20 patients [40 breasts] with reduction mammoplasty scars; they were divided into two groups with the use of pressure garment fixed in both groups. The first group used silicone gel sheet Cerederm [R] while the second did not. Both groups were followed up for a period of 6 months. Then the outcome was compared both on clinical and histopathological basis. On clinical assessment the two groups where compared according to the Vancouver Scar Scale [VSS.]: scar height, pigmentation .etc. While in histopathological examination, three biopsies were taken at day 0, 90, 180 respectively. Each specimen was stained by hematoxylin and eosin to show the normal pattern of collagen bundle formation, the amount of fibrosis and proliferation of the fibroblasts. Early restoration of the water barrier is essential for reducing the stimulus for epidermal proliferation, and secondary epidermal cross talk to stimulate collagen synthesis in the dermis. Adding the pressure garment to the silicon play a role in decreasing the height of the scar or prevent its formation with decrease the other unpleasant sequel of the scar

Effect of vitamin E on the biochemical and haematological changes produced by cadmium toxicity in kidneys of albino rats

Kidneys are the main excretory organ of the body, performing its function through elimination of nephrotoxicants as Cadmium [Cd]. We carried out this study to investigate the effects of vitamin E "alpha tocopherol", as an antioxidant compound, on Cd induced toxicity in the kidneys of albino rats. In experimental albino rats, intraperitoneal administration of Cd [0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg/day] for 12 weeks induced renal damage, which was evident from the increased levels of serum urea and creatinine with significant decrease in total proteins, body weight and hematological parameters. This was associated with a significant rise in Cd concentration both in kidneys and blood. Co-administration of alpha tocopherol as antioxidant resulted in improvement of the kidney functions. The present study suggests that the physiological, biochemical and cytoprotective potential effects of vitamin E in Cd toxicity might be due to its antioxidant properties, which could be useful for achieving optimum effects in treating Cd induced renal damage