Study of the plasma level of the angiogenic peptide "basic fibroblast growth factor" [bFGF] in breast ductal carcinoma

Angiogenesis is essential for the growing tumor delivering blood born nutrients to the tumor cells that promote their survival, proliferation and then their metastatic potential. In the present study, plasma levels of the angiogenic peptide, basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] was measured in twenty-five females, fourteen of them with primary breast ductal carcinoma, and in eleven normal female subjects of comparable age and socioeconomic status as the patients. A significant increase in bFGF was found in cancer group than controls. Basic FGF plasma levels in cancer patients were correlated with age, menopausal state, tumor size, pathological stage, grade, number of lymph nodes involved, estrogen and progesterone receptors and the extent of angiogenesis as measured by counting microvessel density using F VIII immunohistochemical staining. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], which is another angiogenic growth factor, has been evaluated in breast tissue and was found to be increased in malignant tissue than normal breast tissue. VEGF was also measured in the plasma of control subjects and some patients having the highest values of bFGF. There was a relative increase in the plasma VEGF levels in patients than controls. There was a positive correlation between VEGF in the plasma and tissues and between them and the plasma bFGF levels in the studied patients. There was a signifiant increase in the plasma level of bFGF and older patient's age, smaller tumor size and pathologic stage as well as estrogen receptors positivity. These findings confirm that the plasma bFGF could be an important regulator of human breast cancer growth and that patients with high levels of bFGF had better prognosis

Thyroid dysfunction in type 2 diabetes

The association between diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders was always a matter of medical interest. The explanation of that association is still debatable whether through metabolic, immune, vascular or multifactorial. The aim of the present study was to identify subjects at risk of clinical or subclinical thyroid dysfunction by other investigation modalities in diabetics. Forty seven type 2 diabetic patients 21 men and 26 women with age xx ranging from 40-70 years and 20, age, sex and weight matched healthy control subjects were subjected to: estimation of fasting, postprandial plasma glucose. Estimation of serum free T3 and T4 and TSH by radioimmunoassay. Thyroid scan dynamic and static using technetium[99m]. Thyroid colour coded duplex Doppler study of the inferior thyroid arteries. Exclusion criteria included drugs that interfere with thyroid functions. As regards Technetium thyroid scan: the perfusion index [PERI] was significantly higher in patients compared to control subjects [p-value < 0.009]. A negative correlation was found between the duration of DM and the functional index which was statistically significant in diabetic women [r = -0.4264, p=0.03]. Thirty percent of patients were detected to have dynamic thyroid scan characteristics of thyroiditis with marked increase of the perfusion index, marked decrease of the functional index till zero and replacement of slope II and III with a plateau. As regard duplex Doppler Results: the mean pulsatility [PI] and resistivity [RI] indices were found to be higher in patients with thyroiditis [as evident by thyroid scan]. The peak systolic, diastolic, end diastolic and mean velocities where statistically lower in those patients compared to control. The mean value of pulsatility and resistivity indices were significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroid state than control subjects, whereas, thyroid gland volume, blood flow and blood velocities showed no statistically significant difference. Tc[99m] dynamic thyroid scan and duplex Doppler sonography detected hypofunction and abnormal perfusion while the thyroid hormones were still on the low normal side. So, it is recommended to use these investigation tools in following up patients with long standing diabetes specially in those who show clinical or laboratory evidence of thyroiditis, [such as neck pain, thyroid swelling or elevated ESR]. A condition which is not uncommon in patients with Type 2 diabetes

improved surgical technique for treating chronic olecranon bursitis in buffaloes

The pessimistic results of excision of chronic olecranon bursitis in buffalos were a debating matter. This article assigned an improved technique for avoidance of infection, wound breakdown and ulceration which might occur postoperatively. The surgical technique was ameliorated by lateral placement of the skin incision and the use of grooved rubber drain

Mechanical complications of trochanteric fractures treated by dynamic hip screw

One hundred and forty seven cases, 61 males and 86 females, with intertroehanteric fractures treated by dynamic hip screw fixation were reviewed for mechanical complications. The fractures were stable in 52 cases and unstable in 95. The average follow up was 15 months. Severe osteoporosis was present in 68 [46.3%] of them. Mechanical complications were encountered in 12 [8.2%] of the cases Painful bursitis due to excessive lateral protrusion of the compression screw 4, protrusion of the screw tip into the hip-joint 1, loss of reduction with the screw cutting through the femoral head 5 or neck 1, and pulling out of the side-plate from the femoral shaft 1. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of complications related to the severity of osteoporosis or to the instability of fractures. Most complications occurred because of technical errors or injudicious loading during early ambulation

Some trace elements changes in pathological intestinal protozoal infection in Alexandria

Changes in the level of trace elements are associated with some diseases. Studies showed that certain parasitic infections could lead to distribution in the metabolism of some elements leading to cellular damage. Therefore, this work aimed to study the relationship between pathogenic intestinal protozoal infection and the level of some trace metals.100 infected males and 50 controls were subjected to stool and serum examination. The results revealed that infections increased in the young ages, both serum zinc and iron levels were decreased in G. lamblia infected cases aging [20 30 years], but they did not show any changes in E histolytica or mixed inrectioa cases in the same age when compared with their corresponding controls. Also, serum copper level was not affected by both single or mixed infection

Evaluation of patellofemoral congruence in young adults with painful knees

Sixty one young adults 13 to 35 years of age, complaining of knee pain without a history of trauma or evidence of arthiritis, were examined clinically and radiologically to assess the patellofemoral congruity. The quadriceps angle and patellar height were measured by Insall Salvati ratio and Blackburn and Peel ratio. Merchant technique was used to measure the sulcus and congruence angles. The study showed the presence of a variable degree of patellofemoral incongruity in these patients and so stressed the importance of assessing this articulation whenever knee pain in a young adult is present

study of the carrying angle of the elbow in Egyptian children

The carrying angle of the elbow was studied both clinically and radiologically in 110 Egyptian children ranging in age between 18 months and 14 years. The clinical angle was found smaller than the radiological one. The carrying angle was greater in females, a fact that was more evident clinically. Age was not found to cause significant change of the carrying angle in children

Pneumatic retinopexy

Scleral buckling has been the most popular operation for reattachment in the last three decades. Although very successful in reattaching the retina, scleral bukling is not without complications, we have used intravitreal air injection in conjunction with transconjunctival cryotherapy or postoperative laser photocoagulation and postoperative positioning to treat 10 cases of selected retinal detachments. The retina was reattached in all the the 10 cases with no noticveable complication. This report suggests that pneumatic retinopexy is an effective, safe, and easy alternative to scleral bucking treating selected cases of uncomplicated retinal detachments

Vitreous and retina - the use of silicone oil in advanced cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy

The use of silicone oil in the management of intractable cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy is increasing. In this preliminary report the authors describe the surgical techniques involving silicone oil, as well as the avoidance and management of associated intraoperative complications. The results of 19 cases followed for a minimum of 6 months are evaluated

Glycemic index of some common Egyptian foods

Glycemic index of beans, lentils and bread which represents some of the common Traditional Egyptian foods was done. Fifteen healthy adults were chosen for the study. They are classified into 3 groups of five. Blood sugar curve for every person in the 3 groups following 100 gm glucose and either of foods containing an equivalent amount of carbohydrate to 100 gm glucose was done. The blood sugar responses to the tested foods [Beans, Lentils and Bread] were much lower than that of the liquid glucose after 1/2, 1, and 2 hours post prandial. On the other hand the tested foods gave slightly higher blood sugar responses after 3 hours. This means that blood sugar curves of the tested foods are much more flat than those of the liquid glucose formula containing equivalent amount of carbohydrates. The glycemic index for beans was 27.4 +/- 3.07%, for lentils was 35.3 +/- 2.42% and that for bread was 67.2 +/- 2.87%. These results showed the importance of Legumes [beans and Lentils] to be much involved into the diabetic diets replacing other carbohydrate foods with higher glycemic indices [bread and simple sugars]. In addition these foods are cheap, available, palatable and of high nutritive value

Experimental transvitreal retinopexy with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive

We have developed an experimental model of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment during vitreous surgery with intraoperative repair by fluid-gas exchange. Special instrumentation was developed to allow the transvitreal application of n-buty 1-2-cyanoacrylate mixed with iophendylate to the retinal break. The chorioretinal adhesions produced with this tissue adhesive were compared in the same model to those produced by transscleral retinal cryopexy. The chorioretinal adhesions produced by the cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive were immediate in onset, stronger than cryopexy and longlasting in effect

Choroidal osteoma

A 22 years-old white male had bilateral choroidal osteoma The clinical diagnosis of the choroidal lesion was confirmed by B-scan ultrasonography and computed tomography. The patient was followed up for 2 years and did not show any essential change of the fundus

Effect of intramuscular or intrathecal morphine on postoperative pain relief and its relation to serum sodium level

The present study included fourty male patients, their ages ranged between 20 to 40 years, submitted to lower abdominal extraperitoneal operations. They were given either intrathecal or intramuscular morphine to relieve post-operative pain. The study was designed to compare the effect of systemic and intrathecal morphine and to demonestrate the effect of serum sodium on morphine analgesia in both groups. Intrathecal morphine was found to be a safe and reliable method. The intrathecal route was considered to be superior than the intramusclar route. As intrathecal, morphine was smaller in dose, it produced more prolonged duration with minimal complications. Clinically measured serum sodium was found to have no effect on the effeciency of morphine analgesia