Effect of hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy on fine-motor performance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy have impairments in bimanual coordination above and beyond their unilateral impairments. The current study was conducted to examine the effect of hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy [HABIT] on the affected upper extremity use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Thirty hemiparetic children ranged in age from 3 to years with mild to moderate hand involvement participated in this study and they were divided equally into two groups [control and study]. Children in the study group were engaged in play and functional activities that provided structured bimanual practice 3 h per day for 12 weeks, while children in the control group received traditional physical therapy program directed toward improving upper extremity use. Each child in the two groups was evaluated before and after the suggested treatment duration for detecting the level of hand performance using the Peabody Developmental Test of Motor Proficiency and hand grip strength by a hand held dynamometer. Children in both groups demonstrated improved scores on the Hand grip strength while only children in the study group showed significant improvement in fine-motor performance scores [p < 0.05]. The results suggest that, hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy appears to have a positive impact on hand function in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy

Comparative study between two different flap designs on peri-implant interproxirnal crestal bone loss around a single implant in the pre-loading stage

Today, one of the most challenging aspects of esthetic implant modalities is to obtain a predictable pen-implant papilla in the esthetic zone starting with the facts about the morphology of periimplant tissues, to various parameters influencing papilla reconstruction around implants. This prospective study investigates the interproximal alveolar crestal bone loss occurring after placement of mandibular single posterior implant using two different flap designs. Ten patients were included in this study [6 females and 4 males] with missing posterior mandibular teeth, their age ranged between twenty to forty years. The designed flap was performed with a conventional wide type flap on the distal side of the implant and records obtained from this side were referred to as group I, while the mesial side of the same implant was performed with a limited or a papillary preserved flap and records obtained from this side were referred to as group II. Each patient was evaluated clinically and radiographically at immediate, 1.5, 3 and 6 months post-operatively. There was high rate of crestal bone loss in group one with widely mobilized flap compared with that in group two of limited flap design through out the follow up periods. The use of a limited flap design [papillary preserved flap] for single-tooth implants is indicated to avoid possible loss of interdental papillae and to minimize interproximal crestal bone loss with subsequent implant exposure. During application of the conventional flap, it is better to insert the implant 1mm beneath the cortex by about to compensate the amount of bone loss during healing stage

Environmental surveillance of Polio and Non-Polio Enteroviruses in Sistan and Balouchestan Province

Enteroviruses can easily circulate in the population through sewage and they are suitable indicators for environmental surveillance. On the other hand, in some countries there are evidences of silent circulation of viruses in sewage specimens despite no virus isolation from clinical specimens. Therefore, WHO has suggested environmental surveillance using surface water and sewage specimens for final confirmation of Poliovirus eradication. In this research, according to wild Poliovirus circulation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and probability of virus entrance to Iran, and also to assure wild Poliovirus eradication, the environmental surveillance was performed in Sistan and Balouchestan Province of Iran. From March 2004 to February 2005, 86 specimens from 2 sewage disposal systems, 5 hospitals and surface water from several villages were collected by Grab Sample method and tested for Enteroviruses directly and using 2 concentration methods: Pellet and Two-phase. Then Poliovirus and Non-Polio Enteroviruses [NPEV] were serotyped by microneutralization method and Polioviruses were intratypically differentiated using ELISA and Probe Hybridization techniques. From a total of 86 specimens, Enteroviruses and Non-Polio Enteroviruses were isolated from 49[56.98%] and 46[53.49%] of specimens respectively. Polioviruses were isolated from 18[20.93%] specimens and none of them was wild Poliovirus fortunately. 13[17.81%], 39[53.42%] and 57[78.08%] of enteroviruses were isolated using Direct, Pellet and Two-phase methods, respectively. The results of this research confirm the validity of environmental surveillance and Polio eradication in Sistan and Balouchestan Province

Nuclear factor KAPPA-B, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the transforming growth factor-beta as biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma on top of HCV infection

The current study was aimed to investigate the usefulness of nuclear factor kappa- B [NF- kB] expression, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF- alpha] and the transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-beta1] as markers in prediction and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] on top of HCV. The current study was performed on 30 male Egyptian patients, their age ranged from 43 to 74. Twenty patients with hepatitis C virus'related hepatocellular carcinoma [HCV-related HCC] with no evidence of extrahepatic metastasis or hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and 10 Egyptian patients with chronic active hepatitis C virus, with matched age and sex. All patients were infected with HCV genotype-4a. Fasting blood samples were collected from all subjects [10 ml each]. 1 ml was added onto EDTA for immediate extraction of NF- kB RNA. The serum was used for the qualitative determination of HCV antibodies, quantitative determination of HCV-RNA by PCR, quantitative determination of the bio-markers [AFP-TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1], as well as quantitative determination alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and albumin. Results revealed a non significant change in HCV-RNA and ALT in HCV-related HCC patients compared to HCV infected patients. Whereas, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, AFP and NF-kB were increased significantly in HCV-related HCC patients compared to HCV infected patients. Stepwise multi-regression analysis showed that NF- kB [more than 1.49 fold change] with TGF-beta [more than 8438 pg/ml] together are the most sensitive predictors for HCC. NF- kB, TGF- beta are the most sensitive predictors for HCC on top of HCV

Sequence analysis of the hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A region [NS5A] in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The current study was aimed to analyze the sequence of hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A region [NS5A] from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] on top of hepatitis C virus and compare these sequences with those of hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A region [NS5A] from patients with chronic active hepatitis C virus to characterize the similarity and/or differences between the two groups. This study included 20 male Egyptian patients, their age ranged from 43 to 74, with hepatitis C virus _ related hepatocellular carcinoma [HCV-related HCC] and no evidence of extrahepatic metastasis. All were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]. All patients were HCV genotype-4a. Ten Egyptian patients with chronic active hepatitis C virus with matched age and sex were also included as reference group. Serum samples were collected for HCVRNA extraction, amplification and sequencing. Sequence analysis revealed that 11 patients out of 20 [55%] of the HCV-related HCC group harbored a wild-type strain sequence of NS5A region [Accession # NP

protective effect of black seed [Nigella sativa] against carbon tetrachloride-induced chromosomal aberrations and ultrastructural changes of bone marrow cells

The effect of the oral administration of aqueous suspension of Nigella sativa [50 mg/kg b.wt.] against chromosomal aberrations and ultrastructural changes of the bone marrow cells in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride CCl[4] was studied. CCl[4] was administered in two dose levels equivalent to[1/4] [1.9 ml/kg b.wt.] and [1/2] [3.8 ml/kg b.wt.] of the oral LD[50] in mice. The data indicated a significant dose-dependent decrease in the mitotic activity of bone marrow cells in animals treated with CCl[4]. Also a significant dose-dependent increase in the number of bone marrow cells with different types of chromosomal aberrations was recorded in these animals. Ultrastructural changes were also dose-dependent including both nucleus and cytoplasm of erythroid and myeloid elements of the bone marrow cells. Treatment of the animals with N. sativa improved both genotoxicity and ultrastructural changes induced by the two dose levels of CCl[4]

Correlation between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 in SLE patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations and brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythromatosus [SLE] are common and its pathogenesis is still unclear but recent neuroimaging studies in SLE attributed it to vasculitic processes which results in cerebral ischemia. Matrix metelloproteinase-9 [MMP9] has a central role in ischemic damage of the brain, it disrupts the blood brain barrier [BBB] and it also induces a high breakdown capacity in arteriolar basement membrane leading to cerebral edema and secondary hemorrhage. Also it participates in the degradation of myelin basic protein which is a major component of both central and peripheral nervous system. This study was performed to evaluate the possible association between serum MMP9 and neuropsychiatric manifestation with cerebral MRI abnormalities in patients with SLE. Serum MMP9 levels were determined in forty patients with systemic lupus erythromatosus and twenty apparently healthy controls who underwent clinical examination, neurological examination and neuropsychological testing. Cerebral MRI scans with T[1] and T[2] weighted lesions were performed for all subjects. In addition, immunological assay and routine investigations were performed. SLE patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations [NP-SLE] had significantly higher serum MMP9 concentrations than patients without neuropsychiatric manifestations [NNP-SLE], and those with cognitive deficits had significantly higher concentrations of serum MMP9. Furthermore MMP9 levels were significantly higher in patients with T[1] and T[2] weighted lesions in cerebral MRI in NP-SLE. Elevated levels of serum MMP9 in patients with SLE may reflect neuropsychiatric involvement particularly cognitive dysfunction and MRI results favor the association between serum MMP9 levels and ischemic changes with increased risk of cerebral ischemic events in SLE patients

Antioxidative effect of machlura pomifera total acetonic extract and its pomiferin and osajin fractions on the autooxidation of purified sunflower triacylglycerols

Pomiferin and osajin have been isolated from the acetonic extract of M. pomfera fruits. Effects of total acetonic extract, pomiferin and osajin on the autooxidation of purified sunflower triacylglycerol were studied. Pomiferin showed a high antioxidant activity whereas total acetonic extract showed moderate and osajin revealed a low activity

Prenatal Development of the cochlear nuclei in albino rat

In this work, prenatal cellular differentiation of the CN in relation to the central fibres of the cochlear nerve was studied in albino rat embryos. Specimensfrom rat embryos were taken daily from the 12th embryonic day to tull term. It was studied by cresy fast violet and Cajal's reduced silver stains. The central fibers of the cochlear nerve were found to reach the brain stem before the 15th embryonic day, which is the age of appearance of the primordium of the CN. Cellular differentiation of the CN started from the 18th day and at full term the cells of the VCN were more differentiated than those of the DCN. The variations in the age of appearance of the CN and in the degree of its cellular differentiation may be related to the animal species, the stage of cochlear development and the neonatal behaviour of different animals

Fungal pathogenicity dependence of the immune system of some lepidopteran larvae I. spodoptera littoralis

S. littoralis larvae showed differences in the cellular responses between higher pathogenic fungus Aspergillus flavous and lower pathogenic A. niger fungus compared with non pathogenic, noin biological antigen which is charcoal particles. A. flavous spores caused the death of the larvae after 48 hr of injection while after the injection of A. niger spores and charcoal particles, the larvae stayed alive and complete their life cycle. Total haemocyte counts [THCs] increased from 2 to 12 hr [after injection of A. niger and charcoal and decreased at the following different times post injection [24, 36 and 48 hr or 36, 48 and 60 hr, respectively]. Differential haemocyte counts [DHGs] Showed decreases in plasmatocytes [PL] and Shperulocytes [SP] at the times of high phagocytic reactions to A. niger andA. flavous spores, Granulacytes [GR] numbers increased with the increase in THCs. Coagulocyte [CO] numbers were not significantly changed or sometimes their changes were inconsistent. The larvae failed to phagocytose or nodulate characoal particles and also failed to nodulate both fungal spores. Histological studies on the haemopoietic organs of S. littoralis aimed to demonstrate their roles in phagocytic reaction showed their negative roles

study on the prenatal development of the human sublingual salivary gland

In this study 30 human embryos from 8 weeks to full term were used. The prenatal development of the human sublingual gland was histologically and histochemically studied through sections stained with Haematoxylin and eosin, PAS and Alcian blue reactions. The gland started its development at the 8th week as a branched column of cells. This denoted the earliest indication of duct system formation. The primordia of the duct system were canalised at the 12th week and became differentiated into intralobular, interlobular and intercalated ducts by 20 weeks. At full term, the lining epithelium of the duct segments was simple columnar in the intralobular, pseudostratified columnar in the interlobular and flat in the intracalated ducts. The secretory unit developed later than the duct system, since the primordia of the acini appeared at 12 weeks. They showed cavitations at 18 weeks and became differentiated into mucous and serous acini by 20 weeks. The mucous acini were more numerous than serous ones, and some of them were capped with serous demilunes. A strong PAS reaction in the primordial cells appeared from the 8th week to full term. The duet cells showed progressive decrease in PAS reaction, while moderate PAS materials within the duct lumen were seen. AB reaction, however, was observed in the mucous acini for the first time at 12 weeks and increased at full term. The serous acini were negative at early stage, while at full term they showed faint reaction. The duct cells were unreactive to AB, though, their lumina showed rective materials from 12 weeks to full term

Ultrastructural changes in the hepatocytes of albino rats treated with high doses of rifampin

Twelve rats were used, of which 6 rats received 400 mg/kg rifampicin daily for 5 days through an intragastric route, 3 rats received equivalent amounts of saline daily for 5 days, and 3 rats received nothing. The animals were sacrificed on the 6th day after initiation of treatment. Hepatic tissues were taken from all animals and were processed for electron microscopic study. In EM study. there was reduction of glycogen content in all centrilobular hepatocytes, in which few discrete glycogen particles appeared in relation to SER. The periportal hepatocytes showed heterogeneous response in which some cells kept high levels of glycogen and other cells showed marked reduction in glycogen content. There was mild proliferation of SER in both periportal and centrilobular hepatocytes while RER was increased in both areas. Intimate relation between RER and mitochondia was explained

Acute gastroduodenal mucosal lesions in obstructive jaundice: an overview of clinical and pathogenic problems

Fourteen patients with obstructive jaundice were investigated. The mucous membrane [by fibrogastroduodenoscopy] of the stomach and the duodenum, the fasting gastric juice pH and level of serum gastrin [by radioimmunoassay method] were investigated. The study showed a high incidence [71.4%] of gastroduodenal mucosal changes; 57% had gastritis, 14% had duodenitis, mucosal hemorrhages were in 7%, and peptic ulceration of the stomach in 7%. However, 14% were symptomless. The level of fasting gastric juice pH was between 1-3 in this group. There were no any changes of stomach and duodenum in four patients, they had fasting gastric juice pH more than 3. Serum gastrin level, which is stimulated by gastric secretion, is high in 42.8% of patients and shows positive correlation [r = 0.639, p < 0.001] with the duration of the obstruction. Thus, patients with obstructive jaundice and with normal or increased acidity is the group of risk for acute lesions of mucous membrane of stomach and duodenum. This may be the result of preventing the flow of bile and the pancreatic juice into the intestine which plays a role in the pathogenesis of this defect. Particularly, this provokes the interaction in circuit of gastrointestinal hormones. These patients need early prophylaxis and treatment of these lesions

Congenital morphological and skeletal abnormalities of cyproheptadine hydrochloride [periactin] in rats

Cyprotoheptadine hydrochloride [periactin] is one of the antihistaminic drugs which are widely used and frequently described. The aim of this work is to evaluate and find out the effects of periactin on the offsprings of the pregnant rats. It is given orally in a dose of 1.8 mg/kgm to pregnant rats which are divided into 3 groups according to the period of pregnancy. Several morphological and skeletal abnormalities are observed among the offspring. It can be concluded that periactin is a dangerous antihistaminic on the off springs of the rats, hence it is better to be avoided at any time during pregnancy

Histological changes of some internal organs in offsprings of the rats treated with some antihistamines during pregnancy

Antihistamines can pass the placental barrier exposing the foetus to various hazards. This work was done to study the histopathological effects of some antihistamines on the offsprings of the rats. Tavegyl, Avil, and Periactin were given to 3 groups of animals before and during pregnancy. Drugs were given orally in doses of 0.18 mg, 3.6 mg, and 1.8 mg per kilogram body weight respectively. Histopathological study of the liver, kidney and lungs of the offsprings was done. In Tavegyl group, no histopathological changes could be detected, in Avil group, only the lungs showed some changes while in periactin group, several histopathological changes were noticed in the liver, kidney and lungs

Glycoproteins in chronic liver disease

The levels of serum haptoglobin, haemopexin, alpha 1-antitrypsin [alpha 1-AT] and orosomucoid [alpha 1-acid glycoprotein] were examined in the sera of 95 patients with microscopically confirmed chronic liver disease of different types. Haptoglobin concentration was significantly reduced in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis [BHF], in chronic active hepatitis [CAH], in post necrotic cirrhosis and in cardiac cirrhosis, while it increased significantly in biliary cirrhosis. Haemopexin concentration was reduced significantly increase in biliary cirrhosis. Haemopexin concentration was reduced significant increase in biliary cirrhosis. Whereas, the mean value in other groups showed no differences. The serum level of alpha 1-AT showed a highly significant reduction in cardiac cirrhosis patients. Serum orosomucoid level showed significant reduction in both the BHF and post necrotic cirrhosis groups, whereas, biliary cirrhosis patients showed increasing tendency without significant difference. It is concluded that determination of different forms of glycoproteins in chronic liver disease may be a useful adjuvet in assessment of hepatic cell function and severity of the chronic liver disease

Histological, histochemical and scanning electron microscopic studies on epidermoid carcinoma of the floor of the mouth in male albino rats

Thirty male albino rats were used in this study to investigate and explore the malignant changes occurring in the floor of the mouth. The histological and histochemical results showed that developing carcinoma was of poorly differentiated type in most cases, in addition SEM examination of the surface [20 weeks after scratching] showed definite surface changes in the experimental group [painted with DMBA]

Leukocyte migration inhibition in agarose and parietal cell antibody in chronic gastritis

Forty-one patients with chronic gastritis without pernicious anaemia and 12 healthy persons with normal gastric mucosa were examined. Cell-mediated immunity [CMI] against gastric fundal and antral mucosal antigens was studied using the leucocyte migration inhibition agarose test [LMAT], and serum parietal cell antibodies [PCA] were examined by the indirect immunofluorescence method. The LMAT was positive in eight [19.5%] out of 41 patients with gastritis and in none of the healthy subjects. In all these cases migration inhibition appeared with antigen that corresponded to gastric lesion. PCA were present in 11 [26.8%] out of 41 patients with gastritis and in 2 [16.7%] out of 12 healthy persons. No significant relationship was found between the PCA and the result of LMAT. Thus, it is concluded that, there is an evidence that immunological factors may participate in the causation of non-specific chronic gastritis