Does oxidant-antioxidant status and trace element profile relate to outcome in low-birth-weight neonates?

To determine if outcome of low-birth-weight infants is related to oxidant-antioxidant status and trace elements of cord blood. One hundred inborn healthy low-birth-weight neonates, from whom cord blood was available, were included. Newborns who died, in the first week of life or who had major congenital malformations were excluded. We determined cord blood serum Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, alpha-tocopherol [vitamin E], zinc, copper, and selenium, besides cord red blood cells content of superoxide dismutase, Significant oxygen radical diseases of prematurity was defined as the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage greater than grade 2, retinopathy of prematurity greater than stage 1. bronchopulmonary dysplasia at the post conceptional age of 36 weeks or necrotizing enterocolitis. Possible correlations between these parameters and perinatal factors were also tested. Cord serum antioxidant capacity correlated with gestational age but did not correlate with birth weight. Blood malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, vitamin E, zinc, copper and selenium did not correlate with birth weight for the entire sample of 100 neonates. Cord serum antioxidant capacity did not correlate with Apgar scores, or any of the oxygen radical diseases of prematurity. The level of malondialdehyde [a product of lipid peroxidation] is significantly higher in complicated low-birth- weight infants than in non-complicated ones. Meanwhile, a nonsignificant relationship between antioxidants [vitamin E, superoxide dismutase, selenium, zinc and copper] and outcome was identified. Cord serum antioxidant capacity correlate with gestational age, but does not correlate with birth weight. Malondialdehyde is significantly increased in low-birth-weight neonates suffering oxygen radical diseases of prematurity, which may indicate enhanced lipid peroxidation in these infants

Hepatitis C virus infection at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt: Seroprevalence and associated risk factors

A sample of 1422 individuals was included in the study, using multistage sampling technique. Exposures and demographic characteristics were obtained through a pre-designed questionnaire. Antibody to HCV was assessed using micro-particle enzyme immunoassay [MEIA] enzyme assay by IMX and the HCV RNA was tested by real-time PCR technique using ABI Prism 7700 system. The seroprevalence of antibodies to HCV was 23.4% and 27.4% in urban and rural areas, respectively, with an overall prevalence of 25.8%. This reflected prior HCV infection, but not necessarily a current liver disease. The prevalence was higher among males than females and increased sharply with age, from 4.8% in those <20 years old to 41.9% in the older ages [>/40 years]. Those who were not educated and farmers had a significantly high prevalence. The significant predictors of HCV infection were previous parenteral therapy for schistosomiasis [OR = 4.3, 95%, CI = 3.6-7.9], among those over 20 years of age [3.5, 2.18-5.8], blood transfusion [4.1, 2.4-6.9], invasive procedures [surgery and endoscopy] and the use of contaminated syringes and needles. Also, shaving at community barbers added a significance to the model