Serum adiponectin and resistin levels in de novo and relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia children patients

Adipose tissue secretes a large number of adipocytokines such as leptin, resistin, and adiponectin. Many of these hormones and cytokines are altered in obese individuals and may lead to disruption of the normal balance between cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The aim of our work was to investigate the disturbance of secretion of adiponectin and resistin in de novo and relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] in Egyptian children and determine whether adiponectin and resistin are implicated in increased risk relapse compared to healthy individuals. Measurements of adiponectin and resistin were performed at diagnosis, in 32 patients with de novo ALL aged 3 to 18 years [mean 9.8 y] and 19 children with relapsed ALL aged 5 to 17 [mean 9.9 yr]. 10 apparently healthy children with matched age and sex were used as controls. Mean adiponectin levels were low [P < 0.05], whereas mean resistin levels were high [P<0.05] at diagnosis and relapsed ALL [compared to healthy controls]. A significant decrease of adiponectin levels was observed in relapsed ALL compared to de novo ALL. In contrast resistin was significantly increased in relapsed ALL compared to de novo patients. Adiponectin in ALL subjects inversely correlated with resistin level [r = -0.51, P < 0.001]. Low adiponectin and high resistin level at diagnosis suggest their implication in ALL pathogenesis and may serve as potential clinically significant diagnostic markers to detect leukemic relapse

Premedication with low-dose oral midazolam reduces the incidence of emergence agitation in paediatric patients after sevoflurane anaesthesia

Sevoflurane is a volatile anaesthetic agent with low pungency, nonirritating odor, and low blood/gas partition coefficient that makes it an attractive alternative to halothane. However, a high incidence of emergence agitation [EA] has been reported in paediatric patients after sevoflurane anaesthesia. The underlying mechanism of sevoflurane-induced EA remains unclear. Rapid recovery of consciousness [emergence] from sevoflurane anaesthesia has been proposed as one possible mechanism. It was, therefore, hypothesized that sedatives such as midazolam may counteract sevoflurane's rapid emergence and thus reduce the incidence and the severity of sevoflurane-induced EA. This prospective, controlled, single-blinded study included 88 ASA class I or II paediatric patients scheduled for elective outpatient surgery. Patients were assigned to receive either oral midazolam [0.2 mg kg-_ as anaesthetic premedication] or saline [oral normal saline as premedication] before the conduct of anaesthesia. Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia were uniform in both groups. Induction of anaesthesia was made possible with 8% sevoflurane and N2O in 50% O2. Intubation was performed straight without the aid of muscle relaxant and the ventilator was set to maintain normocapnia. Anaesthesia was maintained with 3% sevoflurane and N2O in 50% O2 until the surgery was over. All matters of relevant time periods were recorded [induction, surgical procedure, extu bation and transportation]. In the post-anaesthesia care unit [PACU], adverse events, the incidence and the severity of EA, analgesic requirement, duration of PACU stay, and parental as well as PACU nurses' satisfaction were evaluated. A significant lower incidence and less severity of EA were noted in patients premedicated with midazolam. Less postoperative analgesia was required in patients who had received midazolam. Although midazolam premedicated patients remained sedated after sevoflurane anaesthesia, the duration of the PACU stay was not significantly different from that of saline-treated patients. Both parents and PACU nurses were more satisfied with midazolam as premedication. It was concluded that premedication with oral midazolam is safe, convenient and effective in decreasing the occurrence of sevoflurane-induced Emergence agitation [EA]. It does not delay discharge from PACU and is suitable for outpatient surgery

Protective role of crataegus oxyacantha on cardiovascular system of albino rats conflicting traitorous effect of palm kernel oil

The biochemical and histological changes induced by palm kernel oil and the protective effect of Crataegus Oxyacantha [a fruit-bearing shrub] is evaluated. Its therapeutic benefit has been recorded for treatment of cardiovascular disease [angina-hypertensionarrhythmias and congestive heart failure], in addition to its potential use as anti-ischemic and lipid lowering agent. Male albino rats were treated with oral dosage of 10ml/kg b.w. /day palm kernel oil for a total experimental duration of one month. Biochemical studies of total cholesterol, LDL -cholesterol and triglycerides perceived high values in their serum concentrations along with abnormal proteins profile. Induced histopathological lesions in the cardiovascular system were represented by disruption in intimal layer of both arteries and viens, subendothelial deposition of fats, foam cells and formation of fibrotic areas. The tunica media however showed mild fibrosis with chronic inflammatory cells. Simultaneously cardiac muscles were infiltrated with various sizes of fat droplets, loss of muscle striation and occupied by lymphocytes, macrophage and plasma cells On the other hand Crataegus oxyacantha at a dosage of 0.5ml /kg.b.w. /day were orally given to Palm Kernel Oil group. A similar dosage were given as crataegus treated group only for a duration of one month. Crataegus oxyacantha potentiated a counteractive effect on palm kernel oil treated group, presented in restitution of biochemical alteration and amended cardiovascular changes. These findings were attributed to the significant inhibitory effect of Crataegus remedy adjoining deleterious effects of palm kernel oil

Complicated Crohn 's disease

Crohn's disease is a debilitating, Chronic inflammatory disease that is neither medically or surgically Curable. [1] Approximately 60-70 percent of all patients with Crohn's disease will eventually need to undergo surgery for the disease. [2] In 20:40 percent of patients, the disease is complicated by the development of a Fistula or a deep penetrating abscess. [3] Several studies with INFLIXIMAB have clinically demonstrated that the antitumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy rapidly reduces signs and symptoms in patients with moderate to-severe Crohn's disease. [4] The objective: To increase awareness by this uncommon disease process and through light on a newly therapeutic agent that can reduce and maintain remission in a patient population in this retrospective study, we analyze the clinical records of 17 patients [13 males, 4 Females] as regard presentation, history, Clinical examination, investigation and treatment regimens and operative details. Four patients presented as acute appendicitis, 2 patients with terminal ileal perferation, 2 patients with abdominal masses, 3 patients with acute abdowen, 2 patients with peria pendicular abscess, 2 patients with intestiol abslructionand 2 cases with malnutrition. In 4 cases inflexemab was added to the treatment regimm leading to rapid cure Crohn's disease, though considered uncommon, can account for 10:60 percent afacute abdominal disorders. Thus every physician or surgeon in deal with acute abomen should bear in mind a Crohn's possibility Infliximab, a therapeutic agent that can induce and maintain remission, while promoting the restoration of intestinal mucosa, would prove to be most beneficial in such a patient population

Effect of various carbohydrate snacks on salivary pH, streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus counts

Sixty third grade children aging 8-10 years were randomly chosen participate in this study. The children were divided into three groups: The first group received starchy snacks [potato chips and manufactured maize], the second group received sugary starchy snacks [biscuits], and the third one received sugary snacks [candy]. Six salivary samples were collected just before and then after 5, 10, 1, 30 and 60 minutes from consuming the snacks. The diagnostic tests were salivary buffering power [pH], counts of salivary streptococcus mutant and lactobacilli. It was concluded that the three tested snacks lowered the salivary pH and increased the bacterial proliferation, but the effect significantly differed at different sampling times. And there was a relation between increased salivary acidity and increased bacterial count at different sampling time for the tested snack

Reproductive performance profile for women in a labor community [Shobra El-Khema] El Qualubia governorate Egypt

A sample of 1007 women were chosen by the simple random technique from 2 selected companies [El-Delta Steel and Electricity Cables, El- Cablat] in Shoubra El-Kheima area. A standardized questionnaire was developed to describe the sociodemographic background and to explore the reproductive performance with the outcome of pregnancies among the married women in this labor site. The study revealed that wives of laborers are susceptible to certain factors that could influence their reproductive performance and their health status, e.g. age at 1st marriage, number of pregnancies, number of live births. The study showed the outcome of pregnancy among the 2 groups of women laborers and wives of laborers, who differ in their sociodemographic background but share the chance of exposure to the expected pollution in such industrial environment, where 13.7% of pregnancies among women laborers ended in abortion [cumulative incidence] and 3.6% ended in still birth versus 12.1% and 4.6% among wives of laborers, respectively. These figures indicated that women in the labor communities are in a great reproductive risk hazards. The study revealed another issue that is related to reproduction; namely. infertility and subfertility, where about 17% of women laborers attributed their non-current use of family planning to infertility, subfertility

Family planning practice in a labor community Shobera El-Khema El Quahabia governorate, Egypt

This cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to investigate family planning practice among women in a labor community, Shoubra El- Kheima, El-Qalyoubia Governorate, Egypt, and to explore family planning services utilization among them. This besides identification of their suggestions to improve these services. The simple r and om sample technique was used to choose a total sample of 1007 women from two selected companies, the Electricity Cable [El-Cablat] and El-Delta Steel Company. The study was conducted throughout the period October 1995 - January 1996. 818 married women in the reproductive age [MWRA], 334 women laborers and 484 wives of laborers were survived from the total sample for family planning practice via a structured questionnaire. 22 university graduated female interviewers, well trained, were recruited to collect data from women laborers in the work site and from wives of laborers through home visits