Study of bone density and serum vitamin D level in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Objective: to study Bone density and serum vitamin D level in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]

Methods: serum vitamin D level and DXA scan studying bone density were evaluated in 45 children with ALL, 15 at diagnosis and before starting chemotherapy, 15 during chemotherapy and 15 after completing their treatment regimen

Results: from the total 45 patients, 33 had vitamin D deficiency, 7 had vitamin D insufficiency and 36 - 80% had low bone mineral density 48% had osteopenia and 32% had osteoporosis

Conclusion: musculoskeletal abnormalities are present in children with ALL at diagnosis, during treatment, and persist as long-term squeal after treatment

clinical trial of patient satisfaction with tooth and magnet supported overdenture by visual analogue scale [VAS]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of magnet retained overdenture treatment over tooth supported overdenture and degree to which subjective treatment outcome could be predicted by VAS [Visual Analogue Scale]. 10 patients were identified and conventional over denture was delivered, they form group A1. In the same patients magnets were attached to the abutments and the same over denture was converted to magnet retained over denture after 6 months. They form group A2. They finished a questionnaire with 10 statements on overdenture complaint. Visual analogue scale were used to investigate their satisfaction. Difference between the group were analyzed. Magnet retained overdenture was shown to be very effective on compare to tooth supported overdenture

Phytochemical investigation, diuretic and anti inflammatory activity of root and stem extracts of boerhaavia erecta linn in experimental animals.

The pharmacological and biological properties and chemical constituents of plants from the plant Boerhaavia erecta which is widely used in folk medicine. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory, diuretic activity of ethanolic, ethylacetate extracts and colum isolated compound SU I of whole plant of Boerhaavia erecta were studied and the activity was compared with Diclofenac sodium, Furosemide as standard. The antiinflammatory activity was found out by Carragenan induced paw edema method by using standard Diclofenac sodium. The diuretic activity was found out by Lipschitz et al method by using standard Furosemide. Preliminary phyto chemical screening showed the presence of Carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, Saponin, flavanoids, Phyto sterols and Tannins are present in ethanol extract. The ethanolic extract exhibited significant in both activities. The anti-inflammatory activity showed *** P<0.001,** P<0.01, *P<0.02 . compared with standard.

Malignant phylliodes tumours: Results of breast conserving surgery and immediate reconstruction

Malignant phylliodes tumour [MPT] is a rare breast tumor. Surgery is the mainstay in treatment but varies from local resection to modified radical mastectomy. In this study, we present our experience using wide local excision or subcutaneous mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction in the management of MPT. Twenty-three recurrent MPT and ten patients with histological evidence of MPT were included. All patients with recurrent MPT [n=23] had subcutaneous mastectomy, two centimeter wide excision of the scar and immediate breast reconstruction with either Latissimus Dorsi [LD] myocutaneous flap [n= 10] or Latissimus Dorsi muscle flap [n=13]. Seven of the newly diagnosed patients had wide local excision of the tumor, reconstruction with LD muscle flap, two had wide local excision and reduction of contra lateral breast, and one had subcutaneous mastectomy and silicon implant. The margin resection varied between five and fifteen centimeter in wide local resection group and subcutaneous mastectomy group respectively and the size of tumors varied between five and fifteen centimeters in diameter. During the follow up period, which ranged between twenty-four and eighty-four months one local recurrence, was recorded [3.03%] and none of the patients had distant metastasis or regional lymph nodes involvement. This approach has secured wider excision of MPT, offered breast reconstruction, and has reduced the chances of recurrence in our patients

1,4-Thioarialkylation and/or amination of E-3- [4-bromebenzoyl] acrylic acid and some studies with the products

Recently[1], it was reported that 3-[4-bromobenzoyl] acrylic acid has antibacterial activity towards Staphilococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Kllebsiella, this was ascribed to the presence of the highly conjugated benzoylacrylic system, which may react with biologically essential-SH groups. This prompted us to investigate the behaviour of 3[4-bromobenzoyl] acrylic acid [1] towards compounds bearing the sulphhydryl group. Thus, when compound [1], was allowed to react with thiophenol and/or thioglycolic acid in dry benzene in the presence of few drops of piperidine is a catalyst[2], it afforded 2-phenyhmercapto-3-[4-bromobenzoyl] propionic acid, and 2-carboxymethyl mercapto-3-[4-bromobenzoyl] propionic acid [2 a and b], respectively. The structure of the acids 2 was proved from their infrared spectra, which show absorptions at 1674, 1683 cm[-1] [V[C=O] of ketone], 1700 and 1725 cm[-1] [V[c=o] of carboxylic acid] and broad basin peak centered at 3300 cm[-1]1 [V[OH] of acids] the electron impact fragmentation of compound 2a exhibits m/e =348[M[+]-18]. The [1]H-NMR spectrum of compound 2b in DMSO exhibits signals at 2.3 [S, 2H, S-CH[2]-COO], 3.1 [octet, 2H, C-CH[2]-] nonequivalent diasterotopic methylene protons, 4[quartet, -CH, methane proton], 7.7-7.9 [m, 4H, Ar-H], 12.79 [broad singlet, OH protons which disappear in D[2]O]

Anti cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in IgM rheumatoid factor positive patients: a new insight

The presence of IgM rheumatoid factor [IgM RF] is one of the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. The cutoff point of IgM RF assays is usually based on a reference level obtained from normal subjects in the same population as the patients. However, raising the cutoff values increases the specificity of RF testing. The present study was undertaken to investigate this observation with the help of anti cyclic citrullinated peptide [CCP] antibodies to be of potential diagnostic value. Seventy six patients were chosen with arthritis and IgM RF titers > 20 units/ml. Subsequently, patients were classified according to their IgM RF titers: patients with titers 40 units/ml [group B] and patients [selected from group B] with titers >120 units/ml [group C]. Twenty one RA patients with IgM RF negative and positive anti CCP antibodies were also included in this study. In all serum samples, IgM RF, anti CCP, hepatitis C virus antibodies [HCV], anti-Smith and anti-ribonucleoprotein [anti-RNP] antibodies were determined by ELISA. PCR analysis was performed for all patients with positive HCV antibodies. Antinuclear antibodies [ANA] and anti-dsDNA were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. In patients of groups A, B and C, RA was detected in 28.6, 80.5 and 83.3% of all patients, respectively. Anti CCP antibodies detected RA in 22.85, 75.6 and 77.8% of all patients in groups A, B and C, respectively. IgM RF positive non RA patients were diagnosed in 71.4, 19.5 and 16.7% among all patients included in group A, B and C, respectively. In group A, anti CCP antibodies correctly classified 24/25 [96%] of patients with false positive IgM RF as non RA patients, they were positive in only one patient with rhupus. Anti CCP antibodies were positive in 2.8, 4.9 and 11.1% in non RA patients among all patients in group A, B and C, respectively. Anti CCP antibodies were present in 80, 93.9 and 93.3% of RA patients in groups A, B and C, respectively. The overall presence of anti CCP in seropositive RA patients was 90.6%. Kappa statistics showed an excellent agreement between IgM RF and anti CCP for the serodiagnosis of RA. Among the non RA patients of group A, it was found that 9/25 [36%] of patients diagnosed as having HCV infection. Anti CCP antibodies were negative in all HCV patients. Low positive titers of anti CCP antibodies were more prevalent [76.2%] in patients with seronegative RA than in patients with seropositive RA [17.9%]. Results demonstrated that: [1] anti CCP antibodies correctly classified about 24/25 [96%] of patients with false positive IgM RF [< 40 units/ml] as non RA, [2] high titers of IgM RF [>120 units/ml] are of similar high specificity to anti CCP antibodies and [3] anti CCP antibodies are able to differentiate between patients with HCV infection associated with arthritis and patients with RA

serine protease from germinated wheat seeds

A simple method for the purification of a serine endoprotease from wheat Triticum aestivum [cv. Giza 164] has been developed. It consists of ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 58 kDa by SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions and 57 kDa by gel filtration on a Sepharose 6B column. The enzyme had isoelectric point and pH optimum at 4.2 and 4.5, respectively. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was studied by the use of synthesized and natural substrates, azocasein, azoalbumin, hemoglobin, casein, gelatin and egg albumin. The enzyme appears to prefer azocasein with a Km of 2 mg azocasein/ml. The enzyme had a temperature optimum at 50°C with heat stability up to 40°C. While Co[2+] and Mg[2+] accelerated the enzyme activity by 54% and 56%, respectively, Ca[2+] and Ni[2+] had very little effect. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by PMSF [phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride], but not by the other protease inhibitors, suggesting that the enzyme is a serine protease. From these results it can be concluded that the T. aestivum serine protease may be suitable for food processing

Platelet aggregation and von willebrand factor in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus represent the most serious complications that burden normal life in insulin dependent diabetic patients. It has been speculated that platelet activation and von Willebrand factor [vWF] activity might contribute to the evolution of microvascular complications in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]. In this study, platelet aggregation [in response to ADP and ristocetin] and vWF activity were measured in 20 children with IDDM who were clinically free from demonstrable microvascular complications, and in 10 normal healthy children of matched age and sex served as control group. The results showed an abnormal platelet behavior in diabetic children that was characterized by irreversible aggregation with low dose of ADP and significant increase in peak wave length of platelet aggregation with both ADP and ristocetin. Also the activity of vWF which is a marker of endothelial cell function was significantly higher in diabetic children compared to control group. The studied parameters, were compared with the state of metabolic control, namely glycemic control by measurement of glycated haemoglobin [Hb A1c] and the lipidemic state assessed by serum total cholesterol levels. Platelet aggregation was positively correlated with the serum cholesterol level while vWF was positively correlated with the level of glycated haemoglobin. Meanwhile vWF activity was positively correlated with platelet aggregation. To conclude; the results of this study suggest that diabetic children who are clinically free from detectable microvascular complications might be at the onset of preclinical microangiopathy manifesting itself by the enhanced platelet aggregation and endothelial cell dysfunction [high vWF activity]. Both the glycemic and lipidemic states seem to affect the enhanced platelet activation and increased vWF

Tramadol - tenoxicam combination for acute post - operative pain as a single I.V. dose treatment

The study was carried out on 60 adult patients aged from 22-60 years old and with body weight between 60 - 80 kg scheduled for major abdominal and orthopedic surgeries. We tried to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of the combined action of 100 mg tramadol [weak opioid] and 20mg tenoxican [NSAID] for management of acute postoperative pain when the treatment given as a single intravenous dose Patients were randomally allocated into two groups either to receive the treatment before induction of anaesthesia or just after recovery from anaesthesia - Perioperative anaesthetic care was standard and fixed for all patients the patients were closely observed for 24 hours after surgery and were evaluated for pain relief, mood, sedation, vital signs, nausea and vomiting or any adverse reactions. Post-operative pain was significantly controlled during the first 24 hours with a good mood, little sedation and low incidence of adverse reaction.There was no significant differences whether the treatment was given pre or post operatively.On conclusion. This treatment regimen can be good for the management of acute post-operative pain especially after orthopedic surgeries without or minimal adverse reactions, mainly nausea which need prophylactic anti-emetic

Propofol [diprivan] versus midazolam - flumazenil anaesthesia for direct laryngoscopy

The study.was carried out on 40 patients of both sexes aged from 15-55 years old and with body weight between 55-85 kg scheduled for direct laryngoscopic procedures. Patients were divided randomly into 2 groups, 20 patients each.In the first group, propofol 2 mg/kg was used for induction of anaesthesia and maintained by continuous infusion of 200 micro g/kg/min for 10 minutes, followed by 150 micro g/kg/min for the next 10 minutes and 100 micro g /kg/min Thereafter .In the second group, midazolam 0.3 mg /kg was used for induction and maintained by infusion of 1 micro g/kg/min if the procedure lasted more than 20 minutes. At the recovery placebo was used to reverse the effect of propofol and fIumazeniI was used to reverse the effect of midazolam. Perianaesthetic care was the same for both groups. In both groups we evaluated the operative condition [adequate, inadequate and poor] and the quality of recovery [recovery time, degree of sedation, cooperation and orientation to time and space]. We found that both propofol and midazolam offered an adequate operative anaesthetic condition needed for the procedure but the quality of recovery of propofol was better than that of midazolam even after fIumazenil administration reaching to a conclusion to leave the midazolam - fIumazenil technique to be used in the poor cardiovascular risk patients or in a situation where propofol is not available or contraindicated

Nitroglycerine transdermal patch, is it effective in blocking the pressor response to tracheal intubation and noxious stimulation in hypertensive patients?

Fourty hypertensive patients ASA II scheduled for elective surgical procedures requiring endotracheal intubation, were randomly allocated into two groups 20 patients each. Nitroglycerine transdermal patch was applied to the patients of the first group [Nitroglycerine group] and was not applied to the patients of the other group [control group]. The anaesthetic technique was standerised for patients of both groups.A significant rise in blood pressure occured after tracheal intubation and following skin incision in the control group, while no rise in blood pressure recorded in the other group in which patients pretreated with nitroglycerine transdermal patch. In both groups, either serum cortisol concentration and serum glucose level increased significantly after tracheal intubation and skin incision. We conclude that nitroglycerine transdermal patch is effective in blocking the pressor response to tracheal intubation and noxious stimulation in hypertensive patients but not effective in minimizing the rise of stress hormones released with these situations

Nitroglycerine transdermal patch, is it effective in blocking the pressor response to tracheal intubation and noxious stimulation in hypertensive patients?

Fourty hypertensive patients ASA II scheduled for elective surgical procedures requiring endotracheal intubation were randomly allocated into two groups 20 patients each. Nitroglycerine transdermal patch was applied to the patients of the first group [Nitroglycerine group] and was not applied to the patients of the other group [control group]. The anaesthetic technique was standerised for patients of both groups. A significant rise in blood pressure occured after tracheal intubation and following skin incision in the control group, while no rise in blood pressure recorded in the other group in which patients pretreated with nitroglycerine transdermal patch.In both groups, either serum cortisol concentration and serum glucose level increased significantly after tracheal intubation and skin incision. We conclude that nitroglycerine transdermal patch is effective in blocking the pressor response to tracheal intubation and noxious stimulation in hypertensive patients but not effective in minimizing the rise of stress hormones released with these situations

Non-linear correlation between nerve terminal parameters and muscle fibre diameter of exercised mice during aging

The effect of exercise on morphological age changes in endplate parameters and their relation to muscle fibre diameter was studied in male [C57B1/6J] mice. Animals [N = 60; half of them served as controls] aged 12, 18 and 24 months at sacrifice, were treadmill exercised for two months for 1 h/day at velocities up to 30 m/min. The area [A], perimeter [P], nerve longitudinal extent length [E] and fibre diameter [FD] from camera lucida drawings of extensor digitorum longus zinc iodide osmium-stained nerve terminals were measured. Non-linear regression and multivariate analysis were used to study the inter-relationships among these parameters under aging and exercise conditions. At 12 months E was strongly correlated with FD, but the correlation badly deteriorated with aging, and exercise did not improve it. At all ages A was not correlated with FD during aging alone, but with exercise the correlation improved, especially at 18 months [r2 = 0.73]. The ratio E/FD was not correlated with the other endplate parameters except in exercised animals, in whom E/FD showed a high correlation with A, especially at age 12 months [r2 = 0.72]. FD showed a high correlation with P/A at 12 months of age, but exercise decreased this correlation at all ages. Multivariate analysis showed no significant relationship between FD and nerve terminal parameters at any age in control animals, but in exercised animals a close relationship appeared, given by the equation: FD = 18.75 + 0.025A - 0.08E + 0.01P with P < 0.01 and r2 = 0.34. The discovery of a non-linear relationship between FD and nerve terminal parameters makes possible a further analysis of the effects of exercise on morphological age changes at the neuromuscular junction

Systemic, portal and renal hemodynamics in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and ascites: role of glucagon

In the present study, systemic, portal and renal hemodynamics were assessed using Doppler flowmetry in 24 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis [SHF] [12 of them had ascites due to portal hypertension and 12 were non ascitic] and in 12 healthy subjects. Also, renal function tests, fractional sodium exertion [FENa] and plasma level of glucagon, an endogenous vasodilator were determined in all patients and healthy subjects. Based on the results it can be concluded that peripheral arterial vasodilatation particularly in the splanchnic area is the trigerring signal for sodium retention and ascites formation in patients with SHF. Hyperglucagonemia might contribute to the occurrence of these hemodynamic abnormalities although it is not only vasoactive factor. Meanwhile, renal hypoperfusion and vasoconstriction is a feature of patients with SHF even in the early stages of the disease. Considering these hemodynamic changes, the use of vasoactive drugs in the management of ascites should be carefully studied in the future

Mycofloral contamination of Acassia seeds collected from Saudi Arabia [Southern Region]

Thiry two fungal species belonging to fourteen genera were identified from seven samples of Acassia seeds. The highest total count [154 colonies/gm dry seed] was recorded from Acassia oerlota seeds AspergiIlus, Penitcllium, Mucor and Fusarium were almost, the most frequent gemera. Among the tested seeds, the least contaminated sample was Acassia garrardii [63 colonies/gm dry weight dry weight seeds]

Purification and characterization of arginase from eggs of the Tick Hyalomma dromedarii

Two arginases, A and B, from developing embryos of the tick Hyalomma dromedarii were purified about 20.50 and 52.29 fold, respectively. The molecular weight of arginase B, as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, was about 120.266 +/- 2250. The two enzymes were capable to hydrolyze L-arginine and to some extent L-canavanina at arginase: canavanase ratio [> 10]. The enzymes A and B were found to be stable up to 70C, while a loss of 53.84 and 62.50% was recorded at 80C, respectively. Both enzymes exhibited a maximal activity at pH 9.5. The Km values were 3.70, 2.50 mM for arginase A and 5.00, 1.88 mM for arginase B at pH 7.5 and 9.5, respectively. Arginases A and B require Mn+2 for maximal activity, losing 58.7 and 84.7% of activity by dialysis against 50 mM EDTA-buffer for 2 hours. 79% of arginase B activity was recovered by treatment with 50 mM mM+2 buffer for 2 hours. Inhibition of arginases A and B other divalent cations, proline and branched-chain amino acids was studied. L-ornithine and L-lysine caused a mixed-type inhibition for the two arginases

Studies on the urea cycle of camel tick hyalomma dromedarii during embryogenesis

The occurrence of the urea cycle intermediates in Hyalomma dromedarii developing embryos has been demonstrated. Citrulline, arginine, ornithine and proline exhibited their highest level on the newly oviposited eggs, followed by a remarkable decrease till day 6 and no significant changes could be observed till day 24. However, urea exhibited its lowest level in the newly oviposited eggs, ammonia was at its highest level. All enzymes which participate in the urea cycle except carbamoyl phosphate synthetase were detected during development of H. dromedarii from oviposited eggs till day 24. The activities of ornithine transcarbamoylase was 1.25-23.75 umole/g eggs/hr, argininosuccinate synthetase was 13.9-29.5 umole/g eggs/hr, argininosuccinate lyase was 1.25-23.75 umole/g eggs/hr and arginase was 13.6-71.3 umole/g eggs/hr during embryogenesis