Evaluation of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 level in neonatal sepsis

Bacterial sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Diagnosis of neonatal sepsis may be difficult because clinical presentations are often nonspecific, bacterial cultures are time-consuming and other laboratory tests lack sensitivity and specificity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic use of procalcitonin, circulating cytokine [IL-6] and CRP in neonates with suspected sepsis. Blood was collected from 40 neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units for suspicion of neonatal sepsis as well as 32 healthy controls. Sepsis group was subdivided into S1 [Proven sepsis n=16] and S2 [clinical sepsis n=24] according to the results of blood culture. Serum IL-6 was measured by Elisa, CRP was measured by nephlelometery and procalcitonin by Immunoluminometric assay. In sepsis group, level of CRP was significantly elevated compared to healthy controls P < 0.05. As regard to IL-6 level, it was significantly elevated in sepsis group compared to healthy control [P < 0.001], in addition it was increased in both patients subgroups S1, S2 with no statistically significant difference between both subgroups. Serum PCT concentration were significantly higher in sepsis group in comparison with the healthy control [P< 0.05]. PCT concentration were also significantly higher at initial suspicion and at 12-24 h and 36-48 h after the onset of symptoms in S1 than S2 subgroups. PCT seems to be a better marker of neonatal sepsis. Also, the combination of IL-6+CRP presented accuracy for differentiation between septic and non septic patients during the first 24 h of suspected sepsis

Evalation of total shoulder joint replacement in rheumatoid arthritis

Twenty total shoulder joint replacements were performed in 17 patients with Rheumatoid arthritis. The mean age of the patients was 53 years and the female to male ratio was 3:1. The indication for surgery was disabling pain and limited function. The prosthesis used was non-constrained and modular with cementing of both glenoid and humeral components. At an average follow up period of 9 months, there was significant pain relief in 19 shoulders [95%] whereas the gain in the range of motion was moderate. The average improvement in the Constant score was 33 points. Radiological analysis showed non-progressive lucency in 8 glenoid components less than 1mm;

Total salivary gland proteins of female culex pipiens and aedes caspius [diptera: culicidae] and their fractionaation during adult development and after blood sucking

Salivary glands of Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius were analyzed to determine total protein content and its fractionation during adult female development and after blood sucking. In both species, the molecular weight of proteins ranged between 26.000 and 84.000 Daltons. These proteins were not identical in the two species. In Cx. pipiens, the total protein level increased during the first three days of adult development from 4.94 +/- 0.84 to 6.6 +/- 0.37 mug/gland. During this period, the salivary gland proteins were separated into 35, 34 and 37 fractions, respectively. Cx. pipiens was released in the human host 64% of the total proteins while taking a blood meal compared to unfed females. This decrease in protein level was proportional to protein fractions. Over the next six days, the protein level increased again to attain values comparable to those obtained prior to blood sucking. In Ae. caspius, the total protein level of the salivary glands did not change during the first 4 days of adult development [range between 3.13 +/- 0.27 and 3.19 +/- 0.36 mug gland]; but on the 5th day, 2-fold increase was observed

Knowledge of nurse about breast milk in different health services in Sharkia Governorate

The aim of this study was to measure the level of knowledge of nurses about breast milk. The main instrument of data collection was interviewing nurses working in different systems of health services. The results of the study revealed that nurses working in University Hospital had good level of knowledge about colostrum, while nurses working in Ministry of Health Hospital had good level of knowledge regarding composition of breast milk. Knowledge of nurses who are working in different health services about benefits of breast milk was good, while knowledge about general character of breast milk was relatively low

Nutritional reserves in autogenous and anautogenous populations of cules pipiens and aedes caspius [Diptere: Culicidae]

Proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids were compared in larval, pupal, and adult stages of autogenous and anautogenous populations of Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius. All developmental stages of autogenous mosquitos accumulated significantly more proteins and carbohydrates than did anautogenous siblings. For lipids, the same pattern was observed with the exception that adult females of both autogenous and anautogenous Ae. caspius had comparable quantities [170 - 176 mug/mg]. In general, mosquito larvae contained the highest quantities of nutrients which then started to decrease in pupae and adults. In addition, autogenous Ae. caspius accumulated more carbohydrates and lipids but less protein than did Cx. pipiens. The results suggested that autogeny is associated with an inherent ability of autogenous mosquitos to store more nutritional reserves than anautogenous counterparts. Those reserves are the precursors for oogenesis to produce the first egg clutch in autogenous female

In vitro study on generation time [G] of trichomonas vaginalis

31 strains of T. vaginalis were isolated from female patients attending venereal diseases clinic, Middlesex Hospital, London. Cloned organisms were studied in vitro for generation time [G]. According to generation time T. vaginalis strains were divided into three different groups; slow, medium and fast grow

Phase-contrast study of the efficacy of lampit [Bay 2502, Nifurtimox] on experimental infection with trypanosoma rhodesiense

Lampit [BAY 2502, Nifurtimox] was tested in experimental Wistar strain white rats with acute infection induced by Trypanosoma rhodesiense strain [180 TS1A1], which normally contains cytoplasmic granules of both Type [I] and [II]. Lampit injected subcutaneously in low doses of 25, 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg b.w.as one-time application gave no effect. When repeated higher doses [500 mg/kg b-w] was given a reasonable effect was achieved and formation of additional granules in T. rhodesiense was noticed. In experimental animals, some what higher initial doses appear to be particularly advantageous

Difficulties and problems during prophylactic treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

The authors present some of the difficulties and complications encountered during prophylactic treatment of 120 cases of potentially dangerous retinal breaks and their predisposing vitreoretinal degenerations. The most serious complication was a subsequent development of R.D. in 2 cases [1.7%], during a follow-up period varying between 6 months and 3 years