Role of multidetector computerized tomography in coronary in-stent restenosis

We described the role of multi detector computerized tomography in the detection and exclusion of coronary in-stent re-stenosis compared with the conventional coronary angiography. 30 patients pretreated with coronary stenting and complaining of angina like symptoms underwent dual source coronary angiography one day before performing conventional coronary angiography. 47 stents were examined 43 of them were assessable by DSCT-CA and the calculated sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and overall accuracy of all assessable stents were 100%, 90%, 100%, 81% and 93%, respectively. When analyzing the results for stents

Cardiovascular predictive value of adiponectin diabetic and non diabetic patients with end stage renal diseases

Adiponectin is a novel collagen-like protein synthesized by white adipose tissue. Its level is decreased in obesity, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistant states. It is increased in chronic renal failure. It has anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic properties. To evaluate the levels of adiponectin in uraemic patients with and without diabetes and to correlate adiponectin level and some cardiovascular risk factors. The study included 100 subjects, 20 of them were healthy subjects and served as control group [group I], and 40 uraemic non diabetic patients [group II], 20 of them without CVC [group hA] and the other 20 patients with CVC [group JIB], and 40 uraemic diabetic patients [group III], 20 of them without CVC [group lIlA] and the other 20 patients with CVC [group IIIB]. All patients were subjected to complete clinical examination including determination of MABP, BMI, R,routine laboratory investigations,[fasting serum glucose,fasting serum insulin, lipid profile, cholesterol,TG, LDL-C, HDL-C], Insulin resistance by HOMA-IR. Serum level of adiponectin was determined by ELISA. There was significant increase in serum adiponectin level in all uraemic patients [group II and group III] when compared to control [group I] at p<0.01 Serum adiponectin level was significantly decreased in uraemic diabetic patients [group III] when compared to uraemic non-diabetic patients [group II] at p<0.01. Patients with cardiovascular complications whether uraemic non diabetic [group IIB] or uraemic diabetic [group IIIB] had a significant decrease in serum adiponectin level when compared to patients without cardiovascular complications [group IIA and group IIIA] at p<0.01. Serum adiponectin has a significant positive correlation with HDL-C and a significant negative correlation with MABP, BMI, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL-C,TG and cholesterol in all patients. Adiponectin level in uraemic patients whether diabetic or non diabetic may be a good indicator of cardiovascular disease risk

use of spectrophotometer in indentification of bloodstains: abnormal haemoglobins

The present work was designed to apply an easy as well as low- cost method forboth identification and aging of human blood stains with abnormal hemoglobins. This study was conducted on 68 blood stains. Hemoglobin as well as hemoglobinelectrophoresis were done for the whole blood samples. The remaining of eachblood sample was then spread, in equal amounts, on cotton fabrics, dried atroom temperature, and stored in filter paper envelops. Blood hemoglobincurves were drawn and the alpha ratio was calculated for all the specimens atintervals of 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days. There was a significant differencein the mean alpha ratio between subjects with abnormal hemoglobins whencompared with the control group. There was as well a significant negativecorrelation between the mean alpha ratio and time in all the studied groups. The present work showed that an absorption spectrum of a minute speck of bloodcan prove that the substance under examination is blood. Furthermore, therate at which the alpha ratio decreases might be of more value in aging ofblood stains than the alpha ratio itself

Effect of carbaryl and dichlorvos on reproductive system of male albino rats

The current study was designed to assess the toxic responses of dichlorvos and carbaryl on male reproductive system of growing rats Daily doses of 1/100 LD[50] of either insecticides were given by gavage to immature rats for 10 and 15 weeks. Our results revealed that both insecticides have adverse effects on the reproductive system of male rats through: decreased weights of testis, epididymis and accessory sex organs, impairment of sperm cell characters [declined epididymal sperm count, percent of live cells and sperm motility and increased dead and abnormal sperms], the degenerative changes of testicular tissue and alteration of the physiological hormonal balance. Dichlorvos treated rats showed significant decrease in serum concentration of testosterone, FSH and LH, while the effect of carbaryl exposure was restricted to testosterone level alteration. Histological examination of the liver, kidney and testis of the treated rats revealed degenerative changes of hepatocytes, glomerular atrophy, and destruction of seminiferous tubules, respectively. All results were directly proportionate with the period of exposure

study of placental distribution and transfer of lead and cadmium in urban and rural inhabitants

Distribution of lead and cadmium was studied in 10 placentas. Samples were taken from 3 different lobules [central, paracentral and peripheral] and lead and cadmium concentrations were determined. Our results revealed that both metals were distributed uniformly in the placenta as there were no significant differences between the tested samples [P > 0.05].Lead and cadmium concentrations were also determined in homogenized placental samples, maternal blood and umbilical cord blood from urban areas [n = 25] and rural areas [n = 25] in Cairo and Giza. Our results showed that the levels of lead and cadmium in the maternal and umbilical cord blood were significantly higher in urban population than in rural ones. Moreover, the mean lead concentration in the placenta was 1.5 and 2.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood, while placental cadmium concentration was 1.6 and 1.3 times higher than that in the maternal and cord blood respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the placenta is a suitable material for monitoring environmental lead and cadmium exposure and its placating effect is unable to totally prevent the foetus from exposure to these metals, thus we suggest that the pregnant women should avoid occupations where exposure to these elements is possible especially for urban population which is considered to be high risk group especially for lead exposure

Adverse health effects of gasoline in service station workers

In the present study, the possible relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline and renal, hepatic as well as immunological alterations were investigated. 42 gasoline station workers were compared to 20 administrative workers [controls] regarding their renal functions [urea, creatinine and urinary microalbumin], hepatic functions [total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase -ALT-, aspartate aminotransferase -AST- and serum albumin] and immunological assessment [serum immunoglobulin levels, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and lymphocyte blastogenesis]. The results obtained show a significant increase of urinary microalbumin in the exposed workers, compared to matched unexposed controls. However, no significant changes were recorded in the serum urea or creatinine levels in the exposed group. Serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in exposed in relation to non-exposed workers, meanwhile, no significant differences were observed as regards the serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase between the comparable groups. Moreover, our results show that gasoline exposed workers exhibited significant decrease in the tested immunological parameters as compared to the control group. These data point to significant impairment in renal, hepatic and immunological functions by gasoline exposure

Hepatitis B and C between mother and newborn

Maternal infection during pregnancy with hepatitis [B] virus [HBV] and hepatitis [C] virus [HBV] is increasingly recognized as a threat to the fetus or the neonate. Blood samples were collected from 69 mothers in delivery once admitted to Mattaria Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt and their newborns during the period from May to October 1994. The apparentely healthy mothers were randomly selected. Blood samples were collected from the cord blood using angiocathers. Sera was separated and stored at -70 degrees untill tested. Sera were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] by Abbott for hepatitis [B] surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-hepatitis [C] antibody [anti-RCV] using second generation ELISA by Abbott. Out of the 69 mothers 15 [21.6%] had HBsAg, 10 [28.8%] had anti-HCV and 7 [10%] had both markers. In the newborns 7 [10%] had HBsAg, 12[17.4%] had anti-HCV and 5[7.2%] had both markers. This study shows that vertical transmission could be a reality and screening mothers especially those at high risk of infection is important. This gives us a chance to vaccinate their newborns with hepatitis 1B vaccine on the day of delivery and with hepatitis [C] vaccine once it becomes available. Extent of vertical transmission needs further studies. Follow up of babies who have reactive sera or of carrier mothers is recommended

Rodents and their arthropod ectoparasites in south Sinai governorate, Egypt

From the scientific point of research, little attention has been paid to South Sinai Governorate. In this paper, it was aimed to study the rodent population and their arthropod ectoparasites in three selected areas; St. Catherine, Wadi Sahab and Wadi Feran. The highest rodent trap index was in St. Catherine, followed by Wadi Sahab and then Wadi Feran. Mus musculus was predominant mainly indoors in the three areas while Acomys C. dimidiatus was predominant mainly outdoors. Dipodillus dasyurus was found in St. Catherine and Wadi Sahab, Eliomys quercinus in St. Catherine and Wadi Feran and Meriones sacramenti in Wadi Feran, The commonest arthropod ectoparasites in a descending order were Xenopsylla cheopis, X. ramesis, Ctenocephalides canis, Rhipicephalus sp., Hyalomma sp., Ornithonyssus bacoti [on M. musculus], Haemogamasus pontiger, Hirstionyssus isabellinus [on Ac. dimidialtus and Meriones sacramenti]. The medical and veterinary importance of the results were discussed

Complexation of khellin with different cyclodextrins

Inclusion complexation of khellin and beta cyclodextrin [beta CD], gamma cyclodextrin [gamma CD] and hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin [HP beta CD] in water and in solid state were studied by the solubility method, UV spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry [DSC], X-ray diffractometry, IR-spectroscopy and dissolution study. Solubility of khellin in water increased with the addition of cyclodextrins. The complex system formed had 1: 1 stoichiometric ratio with beta, gamma and HP beta CD. The apparent 1: 1 stability constant of khellin complexes with beta, gamma and HPBCD were 27.71 M-1, 66.67 M-1, 32.46 M-1 respectively. Phase solubility studies revealed 14, 24 and 35 fold increase in the solubility of khellin in the presence of cyclodextrins. More evidence of complex formation was obtained from the analysis of UV, IR, DSC and X-ray diffraction studies. The dissolution rate of khellin was significantly enhanced by complexation with cyclodextrins

Susceptibility of bacillus thuringiensis-treated anopheles stephensi and anopheles gambiae to infection with plasmodium cynomolgi

An. Stephensi and An. Gambiae were treated as larvae with B. thuringiensis israelensis and then fed on monkeys infected with the malaria parasite, P. cynomolgi. The susceptibility of the mosquitos to P. Cynomolgi was evaluated by the presence of oocysts on the wall of the stomach. The data showed that the bacterial toxins did not consistently affect the susceptibility of the mosquitos to several strains of P. cynomolgi

effect of bacillus thuringiensis strain H-14 and bacillus sphaericus isolate 1593-4 on the fecundity and longevity of anopheles stephensi

The effect of 4th instar larval exposure to the bacterial larvicides of B. Thuringiensis H-14 and B. sphaericus [1593-4] on the fecundity and longevity of adults survived larval treatment was investigated. Results revealed a non-significant effect of B. Thuringiensis treatment on both fecundity and longevity. However, longevity was decreased due to larval exposure to B. Sphaericus, while, this bacterium has no effect on fecundity

Comparative toxicity of bacillus thuringiensis H14 and bacillus sphaericus, against culex pipiens and aedes caspius larvae

Thuringiensis fractions included two non-toxic fractions [136.000 and 38.000 dalton], two toxic non-specific fractions [68.000 and 25.000 dalton], and two toxic specific fractions for only Ae. Caspius [47.000 and 30.000 dalton]. Fractions of B. Sphaericus include three non-toxic fractions [75.000, 50.000 and 43.000 dalton], two showed very low toxicity with specificity to only Cx. pipiens [134.000 and 70.000 dalton] and two highly toxic fractions with specificity to Cx. pipiens [37.000 and 25.000]

Immune complex deposits in the duodenal mucosa of duodenal ulcer patients

A hypothesis was previously proposed for chronic duodenal ulcer to be due to a local Arthus reaction in the duodenal mucosa. The present study searched for immune complex deposits in the duodenal mucosa of 20 patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer. Their ages ranged from 21-48 years. 16 of them were males. Immune complex deposits were found by direct immunofluorescent technique in 6 non smoker patients [39%] with no history of ulcerogenic drug intake. Two of them were females. This observation added to others may suggest an immunologic basis of a subgroup of chronic duodenal ulcer patients

Evidence of a biological mode of transmission of enteric bacteria by musca domestica sorbens

Groups of the house fly, Musca domestica sorbens, were fed on sugary solution contaminated with an aflagellated strain of Escherichia coli. Multiplication of this pathogen was detected during one week after the ingestion of E. coli, contaminated food. Bacterial propagation in the fly gut was found to be accompanied by a change of the aflagellated E. coli to the flagellated form. The gaining of flagellae during incubation in the fly gut was found to be stable even after being ingested again by another group of flies. Propagation of E. coli in the fly gut as well as flagellation development could indicate a biological means of transmission of enteric bacteria by M. domestica sorbens

Experimental contamination of musca domestica sorbens in relation to external and gut pathogen transmission

The house fly Musca domestica was tested as a vector transmitting the enteric bacterial pathogens as represented by a standard E. coli strain. The vetorial capacity of the house-fly was estimated as a mechanical transmitter on different external sites as well as for its transmission of the ingested bacteria through feeding behaviour. The achieved results revealed high external contamination densities of the mouth parts followed by the abdomen surface, legs and then wings. A marked increase of the ingested E. coli counts during one week after the ingestion of E. coli contaminated food indicate the propagation of the tested bacterium in the fly gut