Chromosomal study in newborn infants with congenital anomalies in Assiut University hospital: cross-sectional study

In 40-60% of congenital malformations, the cause is unknown. Genetic factors account for approximately 15%; environmental factors produce approximately 10%; a combination of genetic and environmental influences produces 20-25%. The study aims to document prevalence and patterns of congenital malformations detected at birth in Assiut University hospital and clarify underlying chromosomal abnormalities of such malformations. Also possible predisposing factors will be studied. Newborns with apparent congenital anomalies were selected from 5000 newborn infants delivered consecutively at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology within 7 months. Full maternal history, family history, perinatal history, pedigree construction as well as clinical examinations and investigations including karyotype were done. Congenital anomalies were found in 103 cases with a prevalence of 2.06% with male to female ratio of 1.7:1. Skeletal system anomalies had the highest frequency [37.9%], followed in descending order by chromosomal abnormalities [27.2%], circulatory system anomalies [22.3%], central nervous system [CNS] anomalies [19.4%], genital organs anomalies [16.5%], gastrointestinal tract [GIT] anomalies [14.6%], eye and ear anomalies [8.7%], and lastly urinary system and others anomalies in 3.9% each. Breech presentation, perinatal asphyxia, incubator admission and the need for resuscitation were significantly associated with the presence of congenital anomalies. Higher prevalence of congenital anomalies was observed in neonates of grand multiparous women, diabetic mothers delivery by CS, cases with oligohydramnios and with positive consanguinity. Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 28 cases [27.18% of malformed cases] [5.6/1000]. Numerical abnormalities were found in 22 cases [21.35%] [4.4/1000], Down syndrome in 16 cases, Edward syndrome in two cases, Patau syndrome in one case and Turner syndrome [monosomy] in three cases. Structural abnormalities were present in six cases [5.83%] [1.2/1000], Down syndrome in two cases, Turner syndrome in two cases, balanced translocation [[12;13][q15;q34]] with dysmorphic features and undescended testis in one case and deletion 9[q11;q31] with disorder of sex development in one case. To conclude karyotype should not be done routinely for all malformed cases as many of them are due to genetic syndromes. So, it is more useful to consult expert dysmorphologists for proper syndrome identification and for the decision to use more recent molecular techniques for diagnosis

Hyperbolic Lambert-euler problem

We have derived Euler-Lambert equation for the hyperbolic orbital motion. It is a new derivation and a first time publication for this problem which is relevant to interplanetary rendezvous trajectories encountered in dynamics of space science. Some new additions to elliptic and parabolic trajectories are cited

Prolactin in prepubertal children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The efficacy of bromocriptine as a non-standard adjuvant therapy

The aim of the present study was to explore the possible role of prolactin [PRL] expression in immune pathogenesis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA], and its clinical relevance in terms of disease activity and severity. Also, to investigate the efficacy and safety of bromocriptine as a non-standard adjunctive therapy in pediatric age groups. This study was performed in sixty-five subjects, of whom, thirty-five patients had JRA and thirty were healthy age and sex matched subjects. Patients were recruited from the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Children 's Hospital, Ain-Shams University. Patients were subjected to detailed history taking, full clinical examination, Ritchie's Articular Index [RAI] score and laboratory markers of disease activity and severity. PRL assay was perfonned twice for all patients, initially at recruitment during active phase of the disease then after bromocriptine therapy. All patients with active non-life threatening JRA received bromocriptine daily [5-15 mg/day] during treatment phase [3 to 9 months] and were followed for 6 months after drug discontinuation. The mean serum PRL concentration [ng/ml] in all patients at baseline during activity before bromocriptine therapy was significantly higher in comparison to that of the control group [9.33 +/- 2.37 versus 5.57 +/- 0.58]. The frequency of hyperprolactinemia was 65.7%. The highest serum PRL level was noticed in polyarticular RF seropositive JRA [10.32 +/- 3.27 ng/ml]. Serum PRL concentrations during activity showed positive significant correlation with [RAI] score, ESR and CRP. The serum PRL levels were significantly higher in CRP ve JRA [60%] [9.13 +/- 2.43 ng/ml] compared to CRP-ve JRA [40%] [6.52 +/- 0.99 ng/ml]. Serum PRL concentration was significantly higher in ANA seropositive patients [10.82 +/- 3.19 ng/ml] compared to ANA seronegative patients [6.45 +/- 1.02 ng/ml]. Serum PRL concentrations correlated significantly with the duration of illness [6.5 +/- 2.7 years]. There was a significant reduction of serum PRL concentrations after bromocriptine therapy [more significant reduction with longer duration of therapy] from 9.33 +/- 2.37 to 5.59 +/- 7.79 ng/ml; so that when the levels were compared after therapy to that of the control group, no significant difference was noticed. The 7M7 score had decreased significantly after therapy from 12 +/- 5 to 4 +/- 2. ESR showed significant reduction from 52 +/- 22 to 21 +/- 10 mm/hr. Also, CRP decreased significantly from 8 +/- 3 to 2 +/- lmg/dl. Moreover, CRP +ve JRA patients [21 patients; 60%] showed significant reduction after therapy to 5.7% [2 patients]. In our study, 28.6% of patients experienced nausea, 11.4% experienced headache and 2.8% experienced insomnia. The above results imply the important role ofhyperprolactinemia in the immune-pathogenesis of JRA. Hyperprolactinemia correlated significantly with clinical and laboratory indices of disease activity md severity. Therefore, PRL can be considered as a good reliable marker of disease activity, severity and disease monitoring. Bromocriptine therapy especially for longer duration had result in significant reduction of serum PRL levels and improvement of clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity with subjective and objective improvements in the clinical status of most patients with a relatively safety profile and good tolerance. Based on this limited but encouraging clinical trial, the use of bromocriptine as a non-standard adjunctive therapy in controlling JRA activity in prepubertal children is warranted yet, additional investigation is needed to verify this conclusion and extend preliminary results

Computerized EEG mapping during cognitive activation with verbal task

This study aimed to investigate the patterns of EEG reactivity during cognitive activation with word fluency test. Thirty-two healthy volunteers were investigated using brain mapping system during rest, with eyes closed and while performing the task. EEG maps showing the difference between the two conditions as well as off-line statistical analysis were performed. There was an involvement of the left hemisphere as shown by reactivity in the alpha b and frequency. Changes in the beta activity showed a different pattern, i.e. they were more localized than changes in the alpha activity, and took place mainly in the frontotemporal areas. The results were in accordance with neuropsychological findings. The implications of these findings to brain-mind research in normal subjects and psychiatric patients were discussed

Bovine udder and test affections in North Iraq

Studies of udder and teat affections on cows of local breeds of different ages and localities in North Iraq showed an incidence of 10% [27/270]. The incidence of different of affections were teat obstruction and stenosis [25.94%], nonpenetrating, teat wounds [18.52%] udder abscess [14.82%], chronic mastitis [14.82%], injury of the udder [7.40%], teat fistula [7.40%]. Thelitis [3.70%], papilloma of the udder [3.70%], and supernumerary teat [3.70%]. The treatment was described and discussed

Ovine and caprine udder and teat affections in North Iraq

Studies of udder and teat affections in ewes and goats of local breeds of different ages and localities in North Iraq showed an incidence of 10.62% [46/433] in ewes and 33.30% [40/120] in goats. The incidence of different forms of udder and teat affections in ewes and goats were recorded. The treatment was described and discussed

clinical review on some ocular diseases in equine, bovine and ovine in North Iraq

The various ocular diseases accounted 8.6% [101/1171] in bovine [2.9%], equine [2.9%] with almost equal distribution. Keratitis [35/101], conjunctivitis [25/101] panophthalmia [18/101] and squamous cell carcinoma [9/101] were the most common ocular diseases observed in this study. Other less frequently observed condition included ocular dermoids, cataract, cyclopia, melanoma of the conjunctiva and bilateral anophthalmia. Surgical intervention was successful in most of the cases, except cyclopia, anophthalmia and melanoma

Ovine gangrenous mastitis in North Iraq

Out of 46 ewes having udder and teat affections, 17 [36.95%] were suffered from gangrenous mastitis and 7 [15.21%] from chronic septic mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the diseased cases. Total mastectomy was done with successful results. The clinical picture of the disease was described and discussed

Rumen connulation in sheep

Rigid plastic cannulas were inserted into the rumen of four sheep fixed in situ by mattress sutures placed in the upper and lower commissures of the ruminal wound and by placing a series of purse- string sutures in the edges of the ruminal wound and muscles around the cannula. The skin was closed by mattress sutures. Modified cannulas each with 12 holes were sutured to the wall of the rumen of another four animals and fixed as mentioned in the conventional technique. The modified technique of rumen cannulation was found better than the conventional technique

Some observations on foreign body syndrome in bovine

In this study, foreign body syndrome in 49 cows was described. Clinical symptoms, type and location of the foreign bodies were categorized. Three cases of foreign body syndrome were associated with diaphragmatic hernia. Predisposing factors, etiology and clinical symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia were described and discussed

Treatment of recurrent vaginal prolapse in cows

Five cows recurrent vaginal prolapse were successfully treated by perivulval sutures using umbilical tape. The technique was described and discussed

Spectrophotometric determination of some sulphonamides derivative in pharmaceutical preparations

The analytical utility of coupling for diazotized primary aromatic amines with barbituric acid-a compound possessing an active methylenic group - was studied. Thus, a spectrophotometric method involving the use of the coupling reagent for the determination of seven sulphonamide derivatives in dosage forms was developed. Results obtained by the suggested method compared favourably with the official methods. The stoichiometric balance of the coupling reaction was assessed. The developed method is simple and sensitive