Knowledge and attitude towards breast cancer among female school teachers in El Sharkia, Egypt

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Egyptian women. To determine the knowledge and attitude of female school teachers towards breast cancer in Ibrahemia district, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Subjects and A descriptive study design was used. The study sample amounted to 200 female teachers from Ibrahemia schools. Two types of tools were used for data collection: a questionnaire sheet which was designed to collect information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the studied female school teachers, and their knowledge about prevention of breast cancer and a three point likert scale was used to assess the attitude of the female school teachers towards breast cancer. More than half [51.5%] of the school teachers had low level of knowledge about breast cancer and only 8.5% had high level of knowledge. The majority of them expressed positive attitude towards breast cancer [86.5%]. Twenty nine percent of female teachers were practicing breast-self-examination [BSE] but only 5.0% of them used the correct procedure of BSE. Findings of this work highlight the need for increasing awareness of female school teachers about breast cancer through heath education programs which to provide them with information about breast cancer and teach them the correct technique for BSE. Booklets about breast cancer, BSE and healthy lifestyles should be available at school libraries in Arabic language

Forage production in sole and mixed stands of fodder maize [Zea map L.] and mungbean [Vigna radiata L. wilczek]

To increase the productivity and quality of forage per unit area under summer conditions, fodder maize cv. Giza-2 and mungbean cvs. Kawmy-1 and King were grown in mixture at different proportions [100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100] for two seasons, i.e., 2004 and 2005 at the Agriculture Experimental Station of National Research Centre, Shalakan, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt. Solid maize produced higher green and dry forage yield and total digestible nutrients, followed by 75% fodder maize + 25% mungbean mixture. Which recorded the highest protein yield and an increase in land equivalent ratio. Herbage forage mixtures including cv. Kawmy- 1 mungbean produced herbage of better quality than mixtures with mungbean cv. King. It can be concluded that producing mixed forage of 75% fodder maize + 25% mungbean cv. Kawmy-l can realize a reasonable yield of forage with a high percent of protein

Levels of sFas/Apo-1, Caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with acut ischemic cerebral stroke

[1] To investigate the levels of some proteins regulating apoptosis namely soluble Fas/Apo-l [sFas], caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha] in acute ischemic cerebral stroke. [2] To evaluate the potential relationship between the levels of these parameters and brain damage. Patients: The study included thirty patients [16 males and 14 females] with acute ischemic stroke selected from the Internal Medicine Department of Assiut University Hospital over a period of 12 months. A control group of 20 non smoker healthy volunteers [11 males and 9 females] with matched ages were included in the study. Design: A randomized, group comparative, single-center study. Setting: Biochemistry and Internal Medicine Departments at Assiut University Hospital, Egypt. Significant elevated levels of sFas/Apo-1, caspase-3 and TNF-alpha were observed in patients in comparison to those of the controls. These elevations were more pronounced among smokers and those with myocardial disease. Significant positive correlations were found between sFas/Apo-1 and each of caspase-3 and TNF-alpha, and between the size of infarction and the three studied apoptotic parameters. The results demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of the apoptotic markers in acute ischemic stroke patients especially among smokers and those with myocardial disease. The extent of apoptosis detected in this study seems to play a role in the outcome of acute ischemic cerebral stroke. Therefore, the present study recommended the use of neuroprotective therapies [e.g. caspase-3 inhibitors] aiming at minimizing the activation of toxic pathways and at enhancing the activity of endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms in cerebral ischemic patients

Transmyocardial laser revascularization [TMR]; is a novel option of patients having advanced ischemic heart disease with intractable angina and poor left ventricular function

TMR is a successful treatment for chronic refractory angina in patients having diffuse CAD, not amenable to PTCA or CABG and exhausted drug therapy, but still having normal or nearly normal left ventricular [L.V.] function However in our practice in Egypt, we have to perform TMR for patients having severely diffuse CAD with poor L.V. function. This study was done to determine the clinical outcome of TMR for patients having end stage CAD and poor L.V. function Out of one hundred patients had CAD not amenable to PTCA or CABG underwent sole TMR with a CO2 laser [the heart laser system P.L.C. medical system]. Twenty five patients had a high score of medical therapy with preoperative special anesthetics management and using of GIK intravenous infusion as a metabolic support for the myocardium in addition to long term postoperative rehabilitation program. The results showed that, there was no operative or postoperative mortality and considerable early post operative morbidity. Follow up of the patients up to 12 month showed [1] reduction of 2 or 3 angina classes as compared with preoperative state. [2] improvement exercise tolerance. [3] decreased of Cardio- active medication. [4] improvement of myocardial perfusion of the lazed areas. It was concluded that the, TMR has emerged as an effcient treatment for patients with interctable angina and low ejection fraction

Is neo-vascularization; the mechanism responsible for observed clinical benefit of transmyocardial laser revascularization [TMR]

Although the efficiency of TMR in management patients with end stage CAD has been established there is a controversy about the mechanism of action of TMR. Aim of the study was to prove that, TMR enhances myocardial perfusion in patients with end stage CAD. One hundred patients had CAD not amenable to PTCA or CABG underwent sole TMR with CO[2] laser [the Heart Laser System- P.L.C. medical system] on 1999 and 2000 at NHI [Natranal Heart Inst.]. Forty patients of them enrolled in this study Visual and semi-quantitative comparison of the pre and post-operative rest stress thalium scintography were done for all patients. Thirty one patients [77.5%] had a statistically significant [p < .001] improvement of myocardial perfusion after TMR. However in nine patients [22.5%] the reversible ischemia decreased in the lazed myocardial areas but it was not significant [p > .05]. There was no worsening of myocardial perfusion in the lazed areas among all patients. It was concluded that the mechanism which explain the clinical improvement after TMR is intense laser induce neo-vascularization [angiogensis] reversible ischemic myocardium

Prevalence of cytoinegalovirus [CMV] infection among neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] and healthcare workers

CMV is the most common cause of congenital and perinatal infection, most infections are asymptomatic at birth but later on develop handicaps, mainly neurological disturbances. The aim of the present work is to study the prevalence of CMV infection in NICU, to detect possible nosocomial transmission of CMV infection and determine possible risk factors for neonatal CMV infection. This study was carried on 175 neonates in NICU and 19 employees in the same unit. All members of the study were investigated for serum CMV-IgG and IgM by ELISA and CMV - DMA by PCR. The overall prevalence of CMV was 12.57%, 10 [5.71%] had congenital infection, while 12 cases [6.86%] had perinatal infection. In neonates with congenital CMV infection, the prevalence of breast milk feeding, congenital anomalies and blood transfusion were 80%, 30% and 60%, respectively. In neonates with perinatal CMV infection the prevalence of breast milk feeding, congenital anomalies and blood transfusion were 75%, 16.67% and 50%, respectively. On the other hand from the 19 employees, 2 [10.53%] were CMV-DNA positive by PCR, none of them was CMV-IgM positive and all of them were CMV-IgG positive. The risk factors related to CMV infection among neonates in NICU were, low birth weight, congenital anomalies and breast milk feeding, while CMV infection among employee was related to blood transfusion and employment period. In our results there was no statistical correlation between neonates in NICU and employee in the same unit. CMV infections are of more prevalence in premature and low birth weight neonates in NICU. No evidence of nosocomial CMV transmission to employee in NICU

Plasma endothelin-1 levels in children with sickle cell anemia

The abnormal interaction between sickle cells and vascular endothelium may be of greater relevance for vaso-occlusive events than are alteration of red cell morphology or viscosity. One endothelial cell derived component extremely sensitive to cell injury is the vasoconstrictor peptide; endothelin-1 [ET-1] which has been found to be increased in patients with ischemic manifestations. Plasma ET-1 was assessed in this work to mirror endothelial cell interactions and to clarify its role in sickle cell anemia as a co-factor in the pathogenesis of vaso-occlusive events. According to their clinical presentation, patients were divided into two groups: Group I [n=18] were in steady state of sickle cell anemia, 12 of them [Group II] presented with acute painful crisis during the study period. Both groups were subjected to full clinical examination, routine hematological evaluation and measurement of plasma ET-1 level using ELISA technique. Our results were compared to a reference group of 15 age- and sex-matched normal controls. A statistically significant increase of levels of plasma ET-1 was demonstrated in patients during crisis compared to those during the steady state of their disease [p<0.05]. Similarly, ET-1 level was higher in both groups than the controls [p<0.05]. There was a significantly higher level of ET-1 in patients with hepatomegaly versus those without enlarged liver [p<0.05]. A significant negative correlation between ET-1 and frequency of blood transfusion was detected in this study, while a significant positive correlation between it and hemoglobin S was also found. However, no correlation was present between ET-1 and frequency of previous vaso-occlusive crises. ET-1 could contribute to both the prolonged vasospasm and inflammation mediating painful crisis in sickle cell anemia. Endothelin antagonist strategies might have good utility in the treatment of this complex clinical disorder

Correlation between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and meningeococcal meningitis disease

Progress in improving the out come of meningiococal meningitis may stem as much from newer development in the management of the pathophysiologic consequences of the disease as from the introduction of new generation of antimicrobial agents. Aspects of the host response to infection such as the release of cytokines may be contributing to the high morbidity of the disease; Serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha] and interleukin 6 [IL-6] and anti-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 10 [IL-10] were measured in twenty two patients of meningiococal meningitis and matched control subjects. These patients were divided into two groups according to clinical and laboratory investigation; group I: meningitis without septic shock [n= 17] and group II: meningitis with shock [n5 5]. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines' were significantly increased in patients in comparison to control group [P<0.001]. The serum levels of TNF alpha and IL-6 were significantly higher [P<0.001] in group II patients but the serum levels of IL-10 were the same in patients of both groups at time of admission and after four days. The mean serum levels changes of inflammatory cytokines were significantly high in group I patients [P<0.001] and insignificant in group II patients at time of admission and after four days. It is concluded that inflammatory cytokines are simultaneously increased and are strongly associated with severity of the disease

Retinopathies following psychological stress

This study was conducted on 36 patients with different forms of retinopathies that following psychological stressors. A comprehensive ophthalmological and psychiatric evaluation was done for all patients. It was found that a very disturbing psychological event had preceded the onset of retinopathies in 88% of the cases. The psychological disturbance preceded the first visual symptoms by an average of ten days. The pathophysiology was nonspecific, but a stress-induced etiology was highly suggestive. Also, it was noticed that the personality traits increased the severity of the individual's daily tensions, emotional distress and psychological arousal. The results showed that patients needed psychological stability to regain mind- body harmony, beside the routine management of these diseases

Serum nitric oxide level in different stages of liver cirrhosis

Patients with liver cirrhosis are suffering from hemodynamic disturbances and its subsequent complications. In this study nitric oxide [NO] [serum nitrite and nitrate] is measured in three groups of patients [25 patients each] with liver cirrhosis versus a control group. Group [I] included patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, group [II] patients had decompensated liver cirrhosis and group [III] patients suffered from hepato-renal syndrome. It was found that NO was high in group [I] compared with the control, Higher in group [II] compared with the control and group [I] and highest in group [III]. With the increase of serum NO there was increase in serum interlekin-1 [one of time trigger factors for NO release]. However, no statistical positive correlation was found, with time increase of NO there was decrease in the GFR in group [III] but this negative correlation was not statistically significant. There might be a possible role of NO and IL-1 in the pathogenesis of hemodynamic disturbances found in patients with liver cell failure and those developing hepatorenal syndrome

Clinical, pathological, biochemical and immunological effects of nigella sativa L-seed oil the treatment of atrophic rhinitis

This study was carried out on thirty-two patients with atrophic rhinitis. Ten apparently healthy subjects were included as controls and matched for age and sex with the study patients. The patients were given Nigella capsule tds for three months duration. Histopathologic assessment was done from a biopsy taken from the anterior end of the inferior turbinate or its site if it was absent before and after therapy for all patients. Both the nonspecific immune activity factors [acute phase reactants; alpha 1-acid glycoprotein [orosomucoid] and alpha 1- antitrypsin [A1 AT]] and the specific immune activity parameters [immunoglobulins-G, M, A as a function of beta- lymphocytes and adenosine deaminase enzyme activity [ADA]as a function of T- lymphocytes] were determined in serum of all patients and controls and ADA in the nasal tissue of all patients. It was concluded that the observed higher values of the levels of both nonspecific and specific immune activity parameters in the patients in response to the treatment with Nigella sativa L-seed oil could be attributed to its beneficial therapeutic effect via the activation of the immune system towards the infectious agents and promotion of the defence mechanism to protect the tissue against further damage by environmental pollutants and invading organisms

Oxidant stress in children with iron deficiency anemia

The susceptibility to oxidant stress was evaluated in forty-one children with iron deficiency anemia [IDA] as well as ten healthy children as a control group. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] as a measure of lipid peroxides, the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase [GPX] in red blood cells [RBCs] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] in both RBCs and plasma together with the non-enzymatic antioxidants glutathione in both RBCs and plasma, vitamin C and beta-carotene in plasma were measured in all patients and controls. The study revealed significant decrease in the levels of catalase [7.6 +/- 2.3], GPX [14.4 +/- 2.0], glutathione in both RBCs and plasma [435.4 +/- 56.5, 368.8 +/- 123.7], vitamin C [0.24 +/- 0.15] and beta-carotene [78.1 +/- 25.2] in children with IDA compared with the healthy control group [11.34 +/- 3.0, 19.9 +/- 2.7, 636.4 +/- 54.3, 640 +/- 94.9, 1.4 +/- 0.3, 118.5 +/- 22.9, respectively]. Consistent with the reduced levels of enzymatic and non- enzymatic antioxidants is the significant increased levels of the lipid peroxidation marker [TBARS]in both plasma and RBCs in children with IDA compared with the control group. The study revealed increased vulnerability to oxidant stress in children with IDA

New approach for preservation of right ventricle during open cardiac surgery

Although, myocardial preservation by cold potassium [K[+]] cardioplegia and surface cooling are effective for left ventricle, they are less effective for maintaining right ventricle [RV] hypothermia all through the operation. To avoid R.V. ischemia and its dysfunction particularly in patients with pulmonary hypertension [PH], various techniques had been utilized to maintain R V. cooling. An intracavitary cooling of R.V. was don experimentally to maintain R.V. hypothermia. During open cardiac surgery, we evaluate the effectiveness of R.V. cooling all through the operation by continuous R.V. intracavitary infusion of cold saline in between cardioplegic time. Forty patients with multi-valvular lesions and pH were randomly classified into two groups. Group A twenty patients with whom R.V. intracavitary cooling is used in addition to cardioplegia and systemic hypothermia. Group B twenty patients control group. There is no statistical difference between groups as regard the mean ischemic time, in group A 90 +/- 5 min. and in group B 88 +/- 7 min. But there were statistical difference between both groups as regard: 1. The mean total bypass time group A 100 +/- 13 min., group B 160 +/- 19 min. 2. The post-perfusion ventricular arrhythmias group A. 5% and group B 10%. 3. The incidence of L.C.O.P.S. group A 10% and group B 4%. 4. The mortality rate, group A 5% and group B 20%

Evaluation of tricuspid valve replacement by round prosthetic valve designed for mitral position

616.126-089.84 A retrospective study was carried out for evaluation of cardiac performance after tricuspid valve replacement with fixed round prosthetic valve designed for mitral position. Tricuspid valve replacement was done for 15 patients from 1990 to 1994 in the National Heart Institute. 8 patients had history of previous cardiac surgery. All patients presented with severe right sided congestive heart failure. They were preoperatively prepared for surgery with intensive medical therapy: Massive diuretics, correction of A/G ratio and blood picture. 2 patients died 5 and 12 months postoperatively from intractable congestive heart failure and prosthetic endocarditis. One patient was lost from follow-up. The remaining 12 patients were followed-up for a mean period of 23.6 months. Echocardiography was done 6 months after surgery. There was functional tricuspid stenosis with reduction of ejection fraction of the right ventricle in all cases. No thromboembolic manifestations were noted in this series in either mechanical or biological prosthesis

Sex hormone profile in male diabetics, its relationship with sexual dysfunction

To investigate endocrinological changes associated with diabetes mellitus, serum total and free testosterone [T], estradiol [E [2]], lutenizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and prolactin [Prl] were determined in 39 male diabetic subjects [7 with type I and 32 with type II diabetes]. In addition to 14 healthy males of comparable age. Serum total and free T were significantly reduced but serum E [2], LH and Prl were significantly increased while FSH exhibited non-significant increase in diabetic subjects compared with healthy males. Neither did the type of diabetes nor its duration affect the hormonal levels. Similarly, no significant differences could be observed in the hormonal profiles between complicated and non-complicated diabetics. However, serum total and free T were significantly decreased in impotent compared to non-impotent diabetics. Serum total T levels exhibited a significant inverse correlation with blood glucose levels, but were not correlated with the age of the patients or with the duration of disease. The results of the present work demonstrated the presence of changes in sex hormone levels in male diabetics that could contribute to sexual dysfunction. Hyperglycaemia seems to be one of the causative factors for such changes and the use. of oral antidiabetic agents may be an added factor

Influence of gentamicin on the ATPase, electrolytes lipid peroxides and histology of rat renal cortical tissues

Calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium dependent ATPases and their corresponding cations together with the lipid peroxides and proteins were determined in renal cortical homogenate of five groups of adult male albino rats [6 animals each] from which one group was used as control and the other 4 groups were treated with a low dose of gentamicin [10 mg/-kg/D] for up to 21 days. The activity levels of the Na[+], K[+] ATPases were significantly inhibited after 15 days of treatment compared to the control whereas Mg[2]+, Ca[2]+ ATPases activity showed nonsignificant change from the control values. Both sodium and calcium cations concentrations significantly increased after 15 days in contrast to potassium and magnesium cations levels which showed a significant decrease after 15 days of treatment compared to the control values. In addition, rat renal cortical homogenates showed a significant increase in lipid peroxide levels throughout the first 15 days of gentamicin treatment. These findings were associated with histological and histochemical changes. It can be concluded that biochemical changes in renal tissue reflect the possible cellular damage. However, these changes were reversed and levels were returned to normal after 21 days of gentatmicin treatment. Therefore gentamicin should be used very cautiously using the lowest possible therapeutic dose and if it is necessary to use it, its nephrotoxic effect should be monitored in aged or critically-ill patients to detect the early laboratory and functional changes

Thyroid hormones and lipid propofol in nephrotic children before and after steroid therapy

Thyroid hormones and serum lipids, Apolipoproteins and kidney function tests were determined in 20 children with lipoid nephritis in comparison to 10 healthy controls of matchable age. Children were studied during an active phase of the disease and in a remission phase following prednisolone therapy for 2-4 weeks. Before therapy cases showed significantly lower levels of Tetraiodo-Thyronine [T4] and insignificantly lower level of triiodothyronine [T3] than controls, after therapy these levels raised. The post treatment level of T4 was significantly higher than its pretherapy level and the post treatment level of T3 was significantly higher than that of controls. Thyrotropin [TSH] was insignificantly higher in cases before treatment than in controls and decreased significantly after treatment to become insignificantly lower than controls. Before treatment cases showed significantly higher levels of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein [LDL-C] and insignificantly higher apolipo protein -B [apo-B] than controls. After treatment cholesterol level was significantly lower than pretreatment level and became significantly higher compared to controls, LDL-C showed no significant change after treatment and remain significantly higher compared to controls, apo-B showed insignificantly change after treatment. Before therapy the levels of high density lipoprotein [HDL-C] and apo-A were insignificantly lower than these of controls. After therapy HDL-C rised significantly than the pretreatment level and became significantly higher than that of controls. Apo-A significantly rised than pretreatment levels and remained different from that of controls. In the cases the levels of serum albumin before treatment was significantly lower than controls, it rised significantly after treatment to be similar to that of controls

Biochemical indices in synovial fluid as diagnostic tools in arthritis

Since analysis of synovial fluid, have a prime importance in the evaluation of inflammatory joint, samples of synovial fluid were obtained from the knee joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis [13] and osteoarthritis [10]. Sera were obtained from patients and normal controls [15]. The concentrations of glucose, total protein [TP] and total sialic acid [TSA] and activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], adenosine deaminase [ADA] and acid phosphatase [ACP] were determined in both the serum and synovial fluid. Serum TSA, LDH, ADA and ACP levels were significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis than the normal controls [P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively], whereas in osteoarthritis, only the mean sera LDH and ACP activities were significantly higher [P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively]. There were no significant differences in serum glucose and TP levels. The synovial fluid TSA levels as well as ADAand ACP activities were significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis group as compared to osteoarthritic group [P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively]. The synovial fluid glucose, TP levels and LDH activity did not significantly differ although the TP and LDH tend to have higher levels in rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, total and differential leucocytic count were performed. There was a significantly higher total leucocyte count [P< 0.01] and polymorphnuclear leucocyte percentage [P < 0.001] and a significantly lower lymphocyte percentage [P < 0.05] in the synovial fluid of the rheumatoid arthritis in comparison to osteoarthrilis. Positive significant correlations were found between synovial fluid LDH and TP and LDH and ACP and between serum TP and TSA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Analysis of synovial fluid especially total and differential leucocytic count, TSA, ADA and ACP activities are important in differential diagnosis of the two types of arthritis, distinguishing between inflammatory and non-inflammatory disorders

Aminophylline therapy in chronic obstructive airway disease and concomitant ischaemic heart disease [COAD and concomitant IHD]

Forty patients with COAD had been selected 50% were non ischemic while the other 50% were ischemic. Each group was subdivided into those with maintenance aminophyllinemone therapy and another group on other bronchodilator, so on giving aminophylline would result in combined bronchodilator therapy. All our patients had a resting 12 leads E.C.G. Aminopylline was given 24 hours prior to 24 hours ambulatory E.C.G. in a dose of 500 mg every eight hours either by direct I.V. or by infusion. It was found that: Ventricular arrhythmogenicity detected only with the ischaemic group and was absent in the non ischaemic group, while it was minor in the form of grade Ia for those on aminophylline only, it was major in the form of runs of 2 and 3 for those; combined therapy. Supraventricular arrhythmogenicity in the ischaemic group was as that in the non ischaemic group i.e. normal to minor supraventricular arrhythmia. In those on monotherapy of aminophylline and major supraventicular arrhythmia in the form of runs of SVT in those on combined bronchodilator therapy. From these results we can conclude that in COAD and concomitant I.H.D. bronchodilating monotherapy with aminophylline in the normal than therapeutic doses is not contraindicated. On the other hand, when more than one bronchodilator is required it is better to couple aminophylline with inhale beta 2 agonists