Role of umbilical cord helix in foetal protection during third trimester pregnancy and labour

The objective of this study was to assess the degree of umbilical cord coiling with fetal protection during pregnancy and labor. This prospective clinical study was done on 150 pregnant women at 32-40 weeks of gestation with umbilical cord coiling by ultrasonic examination and postpartum examination of cord coiling with relation to the fetal outcome. The results showed a very highly significant correlation with non-coiled umbilical cord with fetal compromise, especially IUFD, IUGR, cord presentation and prolapse and fetal distress during labor. All these conditions were significantly increased with the non-coiled umbilical cord rather than the coiled cord. In conclusion, when non-coiled umbilical cord is diagnosed during pregnancy by ultrasound, the fetus must be put under observation, congenital anomalies should be searched for IUFD and IUGR should be avoided as well as the mode of delivery should be modulated according to the clinical finding of the pregnant women

First trimester transvaginal ultrasound examination and uterine artery doppler study in the prediction of spontaneous abortion in women with recurrent abortion

This study was performed on 100 pregnant women during the first trimester. They were divided into three groups. First group included 40 high-risk cases with a history of recurrent abortion. Second group included 40 low-risk cases with no history of recurrent abortion, but with current threatened abortion. Third group included 20 normal control cases. Transvaginal US examination was done to measure the mean sac diameter [MSD], crown- rump length [CRL] and embryonic heart rate [HER] and to study the uterine artery color Doppler indices. The outcome of pregnancy in each case was observed and its relation with the measured parameters was examined. Only one transvaginal US examination showing normal MSD, CRL and EHR is very reassuring and should be sufficient for the first trimester. However, the finding of an abnormal US parameter should necessitate a repeated US examination a week or ten days later. Slow EHR was the most accurate single US parameter in predicting spontaneous abortion. Decreasing uterine artery resistance index [RI] and pulsatility index [PI] with gestation was a good predictor of favorable outcome, but the reverse was not true. The use of a combination of more than one parameter was more predictive than any single parameter

Evaluation and utiluzation of okra seeds

Chemical composition of okra seeds and its defatted flour was investigated. The whole seeds and defatted flour contained 23.56, 60.06% protein; 21.29, 4.45% oil; 16.66, 5.44% crude fiber; 4.46, 8.19% ash and 24.26, 21.86% carbohydrates, respectively. Some functional properties of defatted okra seed flour were studied. The amino acids composition of defatted flour indicated its high lysine level, therefore it may be used as a supplement to cereal products. Addition of defatted okra seed flour to wheat flour until 10% of weight improved the protein, ash and crude fiber contents as well as amino acid composition without any dislike effect on organoleptic properties when used in biscuits