Value of positron emission tomography/ computed tomography with [18] f-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose [[18]F-FDG PET/CT] in patients with ovarian cancer

This article discusses the current role of [18]F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose [FDG] PET, CT and integrated PET/CT in the management of ovarian cancer patients. 87 PET/CT scans of 64 women with clinically suspected or pathologically proven ovarian cancer were analyzed. The findings of contrast enhanced CT [CE-CT] were interpreted by one experienced radiologist unaware of P ET/CT findings. Two experienced nuclear medicine physicians who were unaware of CE-CT findings examined PET images, evaluating localization and characterization and compared them to co-registered PET/CT images. Diagnostic accuracy was determined on a patient level and a region level. PET has significantly higher Sensitivity, specificity PPV NPV, and overall accuracy [94.7%, 86.7%, 93.1%, 89.7%, and 91.9% respectively] compared to [89.5%, 30%, 70.8%, 60% and 68.9%] for CT on patient level. The diagnostic performance of PET was also better at most anatomical sites when results were analyzed on region level. [18]F FDG PET in addition to conventional imaging modalities should represent an important step in the diagnostic flow chart of ovarian cancer patients. Particularly in patients having a high risk for the presence of extra-abdominal metastatic deposits

Sudanese medical students and scientific research

Most of developing countries face problems in assessment of their public health practices. Gain of this knowledge is orchestrated by research. Medical students can play an essential role in improving public database. to explore knowledge, attitude and skills of medical students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences [FMHS], Omdurman Islamic University [OIU] towards research. This is a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional, institution-based study. A total of 442 students, equally from each batch participated in the study. Equal numbers of male and female were considered to eliminate gender and seniority bias. Structured pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were fed to Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 15. Means, standard deviation and correlations were done where appropriate. Statistical significance was taken at P=0.05.The mean knowledge score was 37% and attitude was positive in 77.1% of the students. Only 18.3% had attended research methodology workshop. The rate of internet navigation is directly proportional to the social class. Only 14.7% knew the engines used for finding medical literature. The low knowledge score is due to lack of application of research in the academic curriculum; however, the students have a fairly positive attitude. The knowledge is expected to improve with the intended policy to include practical research in the curriculum

Metabolic effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in ovarectomized rats

Little information is available about how the changes that occur around the time of menopause might affect management of diabetes mellitus .The present study investigates the metabolic consequences of estrogen deficiency with streptozotocin induced-diabetes. The study was performed on 130 female Wistar rats, allocated into 4 groups: control [Sham]; diabetic [STZ]; ovarectomized [OVX] and ovarectomized diabetic [OVX-STZ] .Rats were subjected to determination of body weight and body mass index [BMI]. Estimation of blood glucose, plasma levels of insulin, estradiol, leptin, malondialdehyde, lipids, atherogenic index as well as in vitro diaphragmatic glucose uptake and renal glucose output. OVX- STZ rats showed significantly lower body weight and BMI than OVX rats. Blood glucose level was significantly higher than Sham, STZ and OVX groups. Diaphragmatic glucose uptake significantly decreased, while renal glucose output significantly increased compared to OVX and Sham groups .Plasma lipid profile in OVX-STZ rats was worse than Sham, STZ and OVX groups as indicated by the significant increase in plasma triglycerides, total plasma cholesterol and LDL-c. Atherogenic index was significantly higher than Sham and OVX rats. Similarly, lipid peroxidation was significantly higher than Sham, STZ and OVX groups. Plasma insulin decreased significantly compared to Sham, STZ and OVX groups, while the decrease in plasma leptin was significant when compared to Sham group. The present study demonstrates that metabolic derangements of combined insulin and estrogen deficiency overweigh the derangement of either hormone deficiency in postmenopausal period

Serum chromium, magnesium and zinc levels in sudanese type 2 diabetic patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in serum chromium, magnesium and zinc levels between diabetic and control groups, and to determine the correlations between these elements and serum glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Forty patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and 30 controls were selected randomly. The level of serum chromium, magnesium and zinc were measured and compared between the two groups. Correlations of serum Cr, Mg and Zn with serum glucose were conducted. There was a very significant difference in some serum trace elements level between diabetic and control groups. Serum magnesium and zinc were significantly lower in diabetic group compared with the control group [P=0.014, P< 0.0001 respectively]. Negative but not significant correlations were shown between Cr, Mg and Zn and serum glucose. There is trace elements metabolism disorder in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Magnesium and zinc could be considered suitable for inclusion in a nutritional supplement for diabetes with significant value for the treatment of diabetics and prevention of complications

Physiological studies on the protective effect of melatonin against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity

This study was designed to investigate the effect of melatonin pretreatment on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, using Langendorff model of isolated perfused rat hearts. Male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups, the first was untreated served as the control group and the second was melatonin pretreated test group. Rats of the test group received melatonin in a dose of 5mg/kg body weight, one hour before heart isolation. Hearts isolated, from both groups, were perfused with 30 micro M doxorubicin [DXO] for 60 minutes. The cardiac functions were assessed at 10, 30 and 60 minutes by heart rate [HR], peak tension [PT], time to peak tension [TPT], half relaxation time [HRT], and myocardial flow rate [MFR]. Cardiac muscle samples were ultrastructurally examined by electron microscope. DXO perfusion induced marked deterioration in cardiac functions of the control rats. At 60 minutes of DXO perfusion, there were significant bradycardia, significant increase in PT and significant prolongation in all cardiac times. Moreover, MFR was significantly compromised during the whole period of DXO perfusion. Ultrastructural examination revealed myofilament disarray with areas of focal loss and necrosis, hyper-contracted fibers and rarefied mitochondrial matrix, signifying its degeneration. Melatonin pretreated hearts, at 60 minutes of DXO perfusion, had significantly less bradycardiac response, significantly enhanced TPT and HRT, as well as a significantly higher MFR compared to the untreated control group. Therefore, the observed DXO-induced deterioration in cardiac chronotropy, inotropy, lusitropy and myocardial flow, was greatly attenuated by melatonin pretreatment. Moreover, melatonin could protect the myofilaments from degeneration and preserve mitochondrial integrity. Single injection of melatonin greatly attenuated both structural and functional insults of doxorubicin on the heart. Therefore, melatonin could be recommended as a protective measure against the high risks of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Studies on the effects of chromium supplementation on the metabolic response to exercise

Chromium is one of the essential dietary trace elements that an important role in regulating whole body metabolism and energy utilization. However, there is a strong argument about chromium supplementation during exercise training programs, as some authors recommend it and others consider it illegal. Therefore, this work was planned to assess the metabolic responses to exercise training program in conjunction with chromium supplementation. Four rat groups were studied; rats subjected to swim exercise 2 hours/day for 2 weeks, rats supplemented with chromium picolinate in a dose of 90 micro g/kg body weight/day by gavage for 2 weeks and rats exposed to both regimens as well as their control non-exercised non-supplemented rats. Results of the present study revealed improvement in glucose tolerance with insignificant changes in serum insulin concentrations and a remarkable hypolipidemic responses in the three studied rat groups compared to the control. Unexpectedly the metabolic responses of the combination of chromium and exercise training did not exceed those obtained either chromium supplementation alone or exercise alone. Such non-additive effect could be ascribed to the common pathway shared by both chromium and exercise to exert their actions; and either chromium or exercise could, on its own, achieve the maximal response that cannot be further increased by their combination. The beneficial effects of chromium supplementation on increasing insulin sensitivity and improving blood lipid profile makes it an effective agent in treating non-insulin dependent diabetes and arteriosclerosis. Also, chromium has favorable effects in sparing protein use during exercise, decreasing lactate production with conservation of high glycogen content that enables prolongation of strenuous muscular exercise and much delaying the exhaustion point. In conclusion, it is evident from this study that chromium is instrumental in mediating metabolic effects of exercise and its role, in this respect, is physiological not pharmacological. Therefore, it is wrong to deal with chromium as one of the ergogenic substances that considered illegal to use with exercise

Prescribing patterns for acute respiratory infections in primary health care, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study was to identify the patterns of prescribing for Acute respiratory infections in patients attending primary health care centers in the Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia . This study was conducted at primary health care centers in the Aseer region during November 2003. A master sheet designed by the investigator was distributed to all the working physicians in the primary health care center in the Aseer region. The master sheet included the age, sex, complaints, signs, clinical diagnosis and the type of medications prescribed. Physicians were asked to include all patients attending on 17[th]P November 2003, and send the master sheet to the Technical Supervision Unit at Primary Care Department, General Directorate of Health Affairs. Data of the master sheet was entered and analyzed by using SPSS. The total number of patients attending with acute respiratory infections [ARIs] was 3000 which represented 25% of the patients attending primary health care centers that day. Children formed 60% of the total number of cases. Regarding symptoms and signs, it was found that 70% had a cough, 59% had a runny nose, and 43% had a sore throat. The common cold was the most common diagnosis [42%]. Antipyretics, antihistamines, antibiotics and antitussives were prescribed for 78%, 48%, 45% and 25% respectively. Statistical analysis using logistic regression revealed that the higher the temperature, the more severe the throat congestion and the presence of exudates on pharynx, the higher the likelihood to prescribe antibiotics. In this study, it was found that the prescription of all drugs for ARIs was still high in spite of the fact that these conditions are self-limiting. To rationalize prescribing for ARI, implementation of the national protocol for diagnosis and treatment of ARIs is mandatory. Further studies to explore the physician's knowledge, attitudes and behavior concerning prescribing for ARI is strongly recommended

One dose toxicokinetics of aconitine in rats

Aconitine is considered a highly toxic substance, it is rapidly absorbed and metabolized and hence the importance of the presence of a sensitive, simple and non expensive method for its detection and quantification in biological samples. The old methods of aconitine detection reported lack both sensitivity and selectivity. Highly sensitive and sophisticated techniques were recently reported for the detection and characterization of aconitine in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines. Although these recent techniques are very sensitive and specific, they are highly expensive, complicated and not available everywhere in most laboratories even in the developed countries. In the present study, a simple and sensitive photometric method was improved and made suitable for the detection and quantification of aconitine in biological samples. This study is conducted on two groups of male and female adult albino rats. Each group consists of 25 animals and divided equally into 5 subgroups. Each rat in the two groups were given sublethal doses of [1.4 mg] aconitine intragastrically. The developed photomeric method was in the assessment of the toxicokinetic parameters of aconitine [AUC, Kcl ,T[1/2],TBC and Vd] in liver, heart, stomach and urine of male and female albino rats after 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10 hours using the spectrophtometer. Sex difference was observed. The results of the present study revealed that the toxicokinetic parameters [AUC and T[1/2]] of aconitine were more significantly faster in male than female rats, however Kcl, TBC and V d were significantly lower in male rats. The detection of aconitine level was significantly increased in the liver, heart and urine of male rats compared to female rats throughout the period of the study except after 10 hours in urine and 5 hours in the heart a significant decrease was detected by the proposed method in comparison to a previous [control] method. In conclusion, the developed method of aconitine analysis is very sensitive and non expensive. It depends on the formation of molecular charge transfer [CT] molecule between the cobalt - aconitine chelate as an electron donor and chloroform [CHCL3] as an acceptor. Sex difference must be also put into consideration during the detection and assessment of aconitine toxicokinetic

Leptin and cardiovascular risk markers relationship in obese rats consuming high fat diet

Objectives: 1] to investigate the levels of biochemical cardiovascular risk markers in rats fed high fat diet [obese rats]. 2] To demonstrate the relation between leptin as a marker of obesity and inflammatory marker, 3] To study the relation between serum amyloid A [SAA] as inflammatory marker and HDLC as antiatherogenic factor

Setting: department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Materials and Methods: wistar rats obtained from veterinary animal farm. Obesity was induced by feeding the rats' high fat diet for 12 weeks [12 wk]. Body weight, plasma leptin, C-reactive protein [CRP], serum amyloid A [SAA], fibrinogen, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-6 [IL-6], insulin, insulin resistance, blood glucose, lipid pattern, atherogenic indices and free fatty acid [FFA] were measured before and after dietary treatment. Correlation coefficient between inflammation parameters with plasma leptin concentration and SAA with HDLC were also examined

Results: body weight, plasma leptin, C-reactive protein [CRP], serum amyloid A [SAA], fibrinogen, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-6 [IL-6], insulin, insulin resistance, lipid pattern, atherogenic indices and free fatty acid [FFA] were significantly increased after 12 wk consumption of the experimental diet compared with baseline data. HDLC demonstrated significant decrease [p<0.05] whereas no significant change in blood glucose concentration was recorded. Moreover, there were positive correlations between plasma leptin and CRP, SAA, fibrinogen, TNF-alpha and IL-6 before [r = 0.77 p<0.0001, r = 0.47 p<0.01, r = 0.69 p<0.0001, r = 0.87 p<0.0001, r =0.8 p<0.0001] and after dietary treatment [r = 0.82 p<0.0001, r =0.76 p<0.0001, r =0.86 p<0.0001, r = 0.94 p<0.00001, r = 0.53 p<0.01], respectively. Meanwhile, there was a negative correlation between SAA and HDLC [r = -0.75 p<0.0001] after treatment

Conclusion: obesity was found to be associated with inflammation, atherosclerosis and insulin resistance which are known risk factors of cardiovascular disease. This conclusion was confirmed by the direct relation between plasma leptin and inflammation parameters and the inverse relation between SAA and HDLC

study on the effect of calcitonin administration on hypophyseal - testicular axis in rats

The present study was designated to clarify the effect of calcitonin [CT] on the hypophysial testicular axis. A total number of forty adult male albino rats were used and they were classified into three main groups. The first group [control group] consisted of 10 adult male albino rats, which were injected intramuscularly with saline allover the period of experiment. The second group: [sCT-, administered group] consisted of 10 adult male albino rats, which were injected with sCT intramuscularly on alternative days, in a dose of 10 U/kg body weight/days for 4 weeks at 10 AM. However the third group [orchidectomized group consisted of 20 adult male rats. This third group was subdivided into two equal groups: Orchidectomized control group which was injected intramuscularly with saline, two weeks after the operation, for four weeks and Orchidectomized CT-administered group which were injected intramuscularly with sCT, two weeks after the operation, on alternative days in a dose of 10 U/kg body weight day for 4 week at 10 AM. The plasma levels of FSH, LH and testosterone were estimated [by radioimmunoassay] and the Ca[2+] plasma levels were estimated [by Clorometric method] for all groups. Also, histopathological examination was performed for the testes of the first and second groups to evaluate the local effect of CT and also to identify the effect of change in plasma gonadotropin levels on the testes.The results of these investigations showed that, the testosterone plasma levels were significantly decreased in healthy group after sCT administration, the FSH and LH plasma levels were significantly decreased in both healthy and orchidectomized groups after sCT administration and sCT administration caused insignificant change in Ca[2+] plasma levels in both healthy and orchidectomized groups after sCT administration. The histopathological study revealed that sCT administration caused thickening of the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules in 20% of the total number of rats treated with sCT, thickening of the basement membrane and replacement of the interstitial cells of Leydig by halonosis in 50% of the total number of rats treated with sCT and thickening of the basement membrane, replacement of the interstitial cells of Leydig by halonosis and spermatic arrest at the stage of secondary spermatocytes in 30% of the total number of rats treated with sCT. From the above results, it could be concluded that CT administration resulted in a significant reduction in testosterone plasma levels that may be through a reduction in pituitary gonadotropins secretion and through a direct effect on the testes

Cardiac disease in children in Lebanon. the AUB-MC children's cardiac registry experience

To study the epidemiology of cardiac disease in children and their outcome in Lebanon, we established a Children Cardiac Registry Center [CCRC] at the American University of Beirut-Medical Center.design/methods: The CCRC included prospectively all pediatric patients with congenital heart disease [CHD] and/or acquired heart disease [AHD] who were evaluated at our center, between March 1,1997 and July 31,2000.Out of the 1000 patients with cardiac anomalies enrolled in the CCRC, 917 [91.7%] had CHD and the rest had AHD. Ventricular septal defect was the most common cardiac malformation with a relative frequency of 25.3%, followed by pulmonary stenosis [14.6%] aortic anomalies [8%], ASD [8%] and tetralogy of Fallot [7.8%]. Complex cardiac lesions like HL HS, TGA and AVC had lower frequencies at 0.4%, 3.7% and 3.5% respectively. The most common AHD was rheumatic heart disease [42.2%]. 34.9% of the registry patients with CHD and 10.8% with AHD underwent surgical intervention. There were 4.8% and 2.4% mortality rates in the CHD and AHD groups, respectively during the 40-month study period. The prevalence of many of the cardiac malformations in the CCRC was similar to that reported in the literature. However, some of the complex cardiac lesions were less common. The outcome of the two groups of patients is comparable to the outcome of children with cardiac malformation from developed countries. The establishment of a registry at the national level is important. Appropriate identification of the cardiac disease, its epidemiology, and outcome is of out most importance in guiding adequate care

Rat's uterine motility responses to calcitonin in vivo

The effect of systemic administration of calcitonin hormone on the uterine contractions is uncertain. This work was carried out to elucidate the in vivo effect of calcitonin hormone administration on the myometrial contractility under different ovarian hormonal influences. All the studied rats were bilaterally ovariectomized and were allocated in 3 categories; estrogen-dominated model, progesterone-dominated model and ovariectomized rat model without any hormonal replacement therapy. Calcitonin hormone was injected intramuscularly in a dose of 1 I.U./kg b.w. for 5 days. The uterine horn preparations isolated from calcitonin-treated rats and their matching controls, were studied in thermostatically adjusted 36 C, isolated organ bath, under basal condition and in response to oxytocin hormone. Systemic administration of calcitonin resulted in a significant prolongation of the average relaxation time, average duration of contraction and a decrease in the total serum calcium level, together with an increase in the basal uterine motility index in the different calcitonin-treated rat group compared to their matching controls. This increase in the basal uterine motility could be attributed to its hypocalcemic effect. The effect of calcitonin hormone treatment on the basal uterine motility was more obvious in progesterone-dominated medium and was nullified in the estrogendominated enviroment, demonstrating the potentiating effect of progesterone and the antagonizing effect of estrogen on the calcitonin actions on the myometrial contractility. Regarding the uterine responses to oxytocin, systemic administration of calcitonin hormone completely abolished the uterine motility responsiveness to oxytocin that was clearly observed in estrogen-dominated media, demonstrating its inhibitory effect on the uterine smooth muscles. The calcitonin- induced myometrial relaxation was clearly obvious in all the studied rat models and this may point to its great value, when induction of uterine quiescence is needed, such as in treatment of threatened abortion or in increasing the success rate of in vitro fertilization [IVF]

Possible protective role of nitric oxide in myocardial ischemia

Much interest has been focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous NO pathways as regulators of cardiovascular function in health and disease. Despite the great number of studies on the effect of nitric oxide on cardiac functions under basal and ischemic conditions, however their results remains highly controversial.So this study was designed to throw more light on the role of endogenous NO [synthesized of L-argenine] and exogenous NO [from sodium nitroprusside] in modulation of myocardial function in ischemic conditions A total number of 80 isolated hearts from adult male white New-Zeland rabbits weighing 1.5-2 Kg, grouped into 8 groups were used in this study. When administered before 25 min of global ischemia and early in reperfusion it was found the NO donors L. Arginine, SNP induced a significant cardioprotective effect expressed by a reduction in the percentage of post ischaemic cardiac damage. This was manifested by a lesser reduction in heart rate, amplitude of contraction, coronary flow rate and also lesser lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] release when compared with control group. While administration of NOS inhibitor L. NAME or guanylate cyclase inhibitor MB induced cardiac damage manifested by an increase in the percentage of post ischaemic reduction in heart rate, amplitude of contraction, coronary flow rate and an increased LDH release as compared to control group. Co-administration of NO donors with NO inhibitors abolished the cardio protective effect of NO donors. In conclusion it was found that NO has a significant cardio-depressant effect under basal conditions, however it increased coronary flow rate and moreover, NO donors have a significant cardio protective effect, following ischaemia and reperfusion. These findings may have clinical value as it illustrate the role of NO donors as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease

Relative arteriovenous potency of nitric oxide

Much interest has been focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide [NO] pathways as regulators of cardiovascular function in health and disease. Moreover, despite the well documented vasodilator effect of NO, the relative arteriovenous potency of nitric oxide donors and inhibitors and the role of NO in portal circulation remain unclear. So this study was designed to throw more light on the role of NO on different blood vessels in vitro. This work studied the effect of L-NAME, L-arginine,SNP and MB in 3 different doses on the contractile effect of submaximal dose of noradrenaline on isolated dog aortic,femoral artery,femoral vein and portal vein strips. L-NAME and MB induced a significant increase of noradrenaline induced contraction in all vascular strips with all tested doses. However the response of venous strips was significantly higher than arterial strips with the least effect on aortic strips and highest on portal vein strips indicating a higher sensitivity of veins especially portal vein and the importance of NO in maintenance of basal vascular tone in all tested strips. On the other hand L-arginine and SNP induced a significant reduction in the noradrenaline-induced contraction in all vascular strips with all tested doses. This effect was more in veins especially portal vein than arterial strips.This veno-selectivity illustrate a potential role for NO in control of venous tone and in turn preload which is a major risk factor in some cardiovascular diseases as heart failure.Also the high portal sensitivity under basal condition suggest a possible use of NO as therapeutic agents in portal hypertension, however further studies on portal hypertensive subjects are recommended to illustrate its effects under condition of increased portal pressure

Age related changes of intestinal motility in rats

The pattern of intestinal motility in different segments of the small and large intestine as well as plasma VIP level were studied in young, adult, old and senescent male albino rats. Results obtained in this study showed that aging has a suppressive effect on the different intestinal motility parameters and this intestinal motility dysfunction was more manifest in the senescent rats than in the old ones. The frequency of contractions of the duodenum and descending colon was significantly reduced with marked prolongation in the average duration of contractions in old and senescent rats compared to the young rats. Regarding the motility index in the duodenum, ileum and descending colon, it was reduced in old and senescent rats compared to the adults. This decrease was more pronounced and statistically significant in the senescent group. There was. Insignificant decrease in the plasma VIP levels with the advance of age and it was not related to the dysmotility of aging. Intramuscular injection of vitamin E for two successive months significantly increased the average force of contraction and motility index of both the small and large intestinal regions especially the caecum and descending colon. This improvement was more evident in senescent than old rats

Influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on experimental portal hypertension in rabbits

In this study we evaluated the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEi] [captopril] on the portal venous pressure and angiotensin II plasma level in normal and experimentally induced portal venous hypertension in rabbits [PHT] [by partial ligation of portal vein for 3 weeks]. It was found that captopril administration reduces the portal venous pressure insignificantly from 7.23 +/- 0.47 mmHg in control group to 6.96 +/- 0.32 [P > 0.05] and caused insignificant reduction of angiotensin II plasma level from 6.98 +/- 0.63 pg/ml in control group to 6.75 +/- 0.39 pg/ml [P> 0.05]. However, after partial ligation of portal veins the portal venous pressure rises to 13.53 +/- 0.51 mmHg and decreased significantly by captopril to 8.7 +/- 0.86 mmHg [p < 0.001] also angiotensin II level increased in PHT rabbits to 11.77 +/- 0.65 pg/ml [P < 0.001] and reduced significantly by captopril to 7.66 +/- 0.67 pg/ml. [P < 0.001]. We conclude that ACE inhibitors may be of great value in treatment of patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices

Doppler characteristics of benign and malignant ovarian tumours

This study included 30 patients in whom ovarian masses were detected by sonography, at time of routine gynaecological examination, the cases were subjected to : Detailed history taking, full general and gynaecological examination, transvaginal sonography [TVS], transabdominal sonography [TAS], sonographic scoring for every ovarian mass, Doppler imaging for the entire tumour to detect area of neovascularization, pulsatility index [PI] and resistive index [RI] for ovarian masses, also histopathological examination of the masses after laparotomy was done. It is found that the accuracy to differentiate benign from malignant tumours was; clinical examination equal 63%, transabdominal sonography equal 76.7%, transvaginal sonography equal 80%, Doppler indices, PI equal 86.7%, RI equal 90%, combination between TVsS and RI equal 96.7%. The combination of TVS scoring of ovarian masses with RI cut off value representing superior flow Doppler parameter, can carry better prediction of malignancy

Impact of an educational program on the incidence of infantile diarrhea: a community intervention trial

This study aimed at designing, conducting and evaluating the impact of a health education program to improve personal and domestic hygiene, based on local beliefs and practices. The study is a community based intervention. Two areas of the same village were randomly assigned to be intervention or control. Socioeconomic characteristics were obtained by questionnaire. Maternal knowledge about causes and transmission of diarrhea were obtained by personal interview. Personal and domestic hygiene were obtained by observation. By the end of the follow-up, statistically significant differences in maternal knowledge and hygienic practices about diarrhea between intervention and control groups were observed, with improvement in the study group. This study suggests that a simple educational message designed to alter wrong beliefs and unhygienic practices about diarrhea can change beliefs, modify behavioral practices and lower rates of diarrhea

Simultaneous monitoring of amikacin and gentamycin levels in plasma versus prostatic fluid can predict thir in vivo therapeutic efficacy in chronic bacterial prostatitis

The study was conducted on 20 chronic bacterial prostatitis patients, they were divided into amikacin and gentamycin groups. They received therapeutic doses of i.m. twice daily amikacin and gentamycin. Their peak drug levels and pH measurements in plasma versus prostatic secretion were assessed after the first and last dose of the 7-day course together with post therapeutic bacteriological assessment. Results revealed a positive correlation between beneficial levels of the two aminoglycosides recovered in the prostatic fluid and the absence of bacterial growth in post therapeutic specimens. No definite relationship was correlated between drug levels and pH measurements in prostatic secretion. Therefore, performing initial quantitative detection of peak levels of aminoglycosides in the expressed prostatic secretion after the first dose was recommended, to determine whether the drugs are recovered in beneficial levels. So, the physician could take early decision whether to continue the course or to cut it short when the therapeutic value is not worth the hazards, costs and disappointment of inadequate response