generation of a ZBTB16-inducible expression system in the ACHN adenocarcinoma cell line

To establish an inducible system for controlled ZBTB16 protein expression in a renal adenocarcinoma cell line. The Tet-On[registered] 3G Inducible Expression System from Clontech was used to generate a tetracyclineregulated ZBTB16 expression system in the ACHN renal adenocarcinoma cell line. The Tet-On[registered] 3G system successfully controlled the basal level of ZBTB16 with no detectable protein expression when doxycycline was absent from the culture medium. The addition of doxycycline induced ZBTB16 protein expression with as low as 20 ng/ml of doxycycline. The firm regulation of transcription factor expression in cancer cell models is very important in investigating their biological roles. Many transcription factors, such as ZBTB16, will carry on their biological activities even with minimal expression levels. The Tet-On[registered] 3G system was essential in controlling the basal expression to prevent transcription leakage and providing a tightly regulated method for expressing ZBTB16 in a manner resembling physiological conditions

Prevalence of and predictive factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Sudanese individuals with type 2 diabetes: is metabolic syndrome the culprit?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is a common global chronic liver condition. The prevalence of NAFLD among individuals with type 2 diabetes is estimated to be as high as 75%. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NAFLD among individuals with type 2 diabetes in Sudan. This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study, which was carried out at the Jabir Abu-Elizz diabetic centre in Khartoum; 167 outpatients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. NAFLD was diagnosed based on ultrasound, following exclusion of significant alcohol intake and secondary causes of liver diseases. NAFLD was defined as hepatic steatosis in the absence of alcohol intake, medication, previous liver disease and negative results for the serological test for hepatitis B and C. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for the development of NAFLD in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The number of female subjects was 89 [53.3%], and most subjects [145, 86.8%] were between the ages of 40 and 70 years. The overall prevalence of fatty liver among individuals with type 2 diabetes was found to be 50.3%. Age, duration of diabetes, hypertension and HbAlc levels appeared to have no impact on the prevalence of NAFLD. The possible predictors of NAFLD were overweight, obesity, central obesity, high triglyceride level and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c] level. A higher prevalence of NAFLD was observed in individuals with three components of the metabolic syndrome. NAFLD was observed in half of the diabetic population, and its occurrence correlates positively with metabolic syndrome risk factors

Pulmonary hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

There has been uncertainty until recently whether OSA, is sufficient to cause persistent daytime pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction. The aims of this study, were to investigate whether OSA by itself without any other cardiac or lung disease can lead to pulmonary hypertension, and to assess the effect of CPAP therapy on pulmonary artery pressure. The study was performed on 54 OSA patients. All patients were subjected to thorough history taking including Epworth sleepiness scale and Berlin questionnaire, physical examinations, calculation of BMI, plain chest X-ray pulmonary function tests, polysomnography and echocardiography. Ten patients out of 24 patients of OSA with PH have been treated with CPAP for six months. Pulmonary hypertension [PH] was present in [44.4%] of OSA patients. There were significantly higher PASP and mPAP in severe OSA patients versus non severe OSA patients. There were significant higher BMI, neck circumference, AHI and ODI in OSA patients with PH compared to OSA patients without PH. Awake SaO2 and minimum SaO[2] were significantly lower in OSA patients with PH compared to OSA patients without PH. There were significant reduction in both mPAP and PASP after 6 months of CPAP treatment [p = 0.007, 0.005 respectively]. Conclusion: OSA is associated with pulmonary hypertension, improvement of pulmonary hypertension through controlling OSA by CPAP therapy signifies that OSA plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. CPAP therapy should be advised to all OSA patients with pulmonary hypertension

Cryptosporidiosis: An emerging disease in animal and man in the Sudan: observations on a disease situation in a foreign group of cattle

Oocysts of cryptosporidium were observed in 5 calves in a herd of exotic cattle. Only one calf was found to have watery diarrhea, which recurred 7 days post treatment. The epizootology of the disease was discussed and a possible human transmission and out breaks in children and adults is suggestive

Longitudinal effect of health team education about geriatric health in Egypt

In Egypt, the number of people over 60 years old and over was 5.1% in the year 1986 census and is expected to increase to 7.7% by the year 2010 and 12.4% by the year 2025 [CAPMAS, 1996]. Increasing the number of elderly population added new health problems to the health authorities as the old people are more susceptible to many physical, mental, and social health problems [Kassem 2000]. the present study aimed to upgrade the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of the PHC-providers towards the health needs and problems of the geriatric population in Egypt through implementation of health education course study [pre and post test] design. Analytical intervention study [pre and post test] was conducted in Five governorates in Egypt [Ismailia, Damietta, Al Dakahlia, Benisuef, and Assiuot]. Seven hundred and fifty PHC-providers, randomly selected from 5 govemorates in Egypt were invited to participate in the study, and after the pre-test they were engaged in the educational course [a self-directed learning package] on geriatric health needs and problems. The PHC-providers were 50 Physicians, 50 Nurses, and 50 Health educators from each governorate. A questionnaires of, 15 items for Physicians and Nurses and 17 items for Health educators based on current geriatric health needs and problems were used. The mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were calculated in pre and post tests for each group of physicians, nurses and health educators. A paired sample t-test was used to detect the differences between the means of knowledge, attitude and practice scores of pre-test and post-test. One way ANOVA test and Post Hoc test [Bonferroni test] were done to clarify the significant differences in [KAP] among the five govemorates at the pre-test and post-test and for the percentage of change between both tests. The SPSS [10.0] program was used for data analysis. The scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in the pre test were much lower than that in the post test scores and a statistical significant differences [P<0.05] were found among the participants PHC providers in all govemorates. Multiple comparisons [post Hoc tests] of knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of PHC providers in the five studied Govemorates revealed marked variations. 149. Tbis study displayed the important of ntinuing medical education, and also demonstrated the needs of PHC providers for medical education courses about geriatric health needs and problems

Assessment of fetal kidney dimensions in Sharkia Governorate: Ultrasonographic study

The fetal kidney can be shown in utero using ultrasonography. Major renal congenital anomalies are diagnosed with ultrasound. By 20 weeks of gestation, one or both fetal kidneys can be identified in 90% of pregnant women. The aim of this study is to evaluate the dimensions of the normal fetal kidneys by ultrasonography in Sharkia Governorate to get a standard sonographic chart which can be considered as a reference for the clinicians in this field. One hundred pregnant women were selected from those attending the antenatal clinics of Zagazig University Hospital, their ages ranged 22-32 years with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. All patients were subjected to medical, obstetric histories, general and local examination. Complete blood count, urine analysis and random blood sugar were also evaluated. The cases were divided into 5 gestational age groups [20 women each] and all were subjected to ultrasound examination to estimate the biparietal diameter, femur length, abdominal circumference and fetal kidney measurements [length, breadth, anteroposterior diameter and volume]. In some cases where right and left fetal kidneys were imaged adequately and measured, average measures were obtained because no significant difference between both sides were recorded. The mean fetal kidney dimensions [length, breadth, antero-posterior diameter and volume] increased progressively throughout the third trimester with progress of gestational age. At 28 weeks of gestation, the perinephric fat was little and the central sinus appeared as a sonolucent slit within the central portion of the kidney. At 32 weeks, corticomedullary differentiation was observed with the appearance of hypo-echoic medullary pyramids. At 38 weeks, an echogenic rim was observed and made the kidney easily delineated from surrounding tissues, and the surface lobulation increased. At full term, the fetal kidney showed marked surface lobulation, corticomeduIlary differentiation, prominent central sinus and good identification of the adrenal glands. In conclusion,The fetal kidney could be properly imaged and visualized at the third trimester. No significant difference could be detected between the dimensions of both right and left kidneys. All kidney dimensions increased with the progress of gestational age throughout the third trimester and both kidney length and volume had the most significant correlation with gestational age. The development of surface lobulation, corticomedullary differentiation and the central sinus of the fetal kidney and the identified adrenal glands, all became more prominent with progress of gestational age

Jordanian nurses' choices among ethical models

The present study aimed at investigating the relationship between Jordanian nurses' choices among the ethical "Nurse-Patient Relationship" models and background variables. Hoping to contribute to the work of professional ethics writers, researchers, and teachers. The sample consisted of 220 registered nurses from three hospitals, and 257 student - nurses from the University of Jordan. The following tools were translated into the Arabic language and administered to participants: Pankratz and Pankraatz "Nursing Autonomy and patient's Rights Scale", and Pinch's four hypothetical ethical dilemmas. The tools were tested for validity and reliability. The findings showed that Jordanian nurses are patient-rights oriented. However, their choices among the three "Nurse-Patient Relationship" models are subject to significant variation imposed by their age, gender, educational status, working experience, and by the ethical situation

Jordanian nurses: job dissatisfaction and anticipated withdrawal from practice.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify factors influencing Jordanian nurses' job dissatisfaction and to estimate the magnitude of anticipated withdrawal from practice. A random sample of 250 RNs was selected. The participation rate was 74%. The study instrument was developed by the researchers. It consisted of a 37- item questionnaire consisting of two rating scales: [Importance Scale IS, and Satisfaction Scale SS]. The validity and the reliability were tested, the internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's Alpha was 0.91 for IS, and 0.92 for SS. The t-test was employed to analyze data. The results showed that Jordanian nurses were generally dissatisfied with working conditions [transportation, child care facilities], payment, nursing and hospital administrators' support, and professional growth and development. The withdrawal rate [RN5 who are likely to leave nursing] was 18.4%. There was a statistical significant difference with respect to job dissatisfaction between stayers and leavers with leavers being more dissatisfied