Rapid radiosynthesis of two [18F]-labeled nicotinamide derivatives for malignant melanoma imaging.

The rapid synthesis of two radiofluoronicotinamide derivatives, namely, [18F]MEL050 and [18F]MEL-2F has been simply performed starting from commercial materials. [18F]MEL-2F is a new, potential analogue PET-probe for melanoma imaging. [18F]MEL050 is already an excellent PET imaging probe for early specific diagnosis. The synthesis involves coupling step to obtain the precursor followed by radiofluorination. During the synthesis of the precursors different coupling reagents, such as HBTU, TFFH, HOBT, COMU and PyCIU have been applied. PyClU was found the best to reduce the coupling period to < 1h. The labeled compounds were isolated and purified by HPLC. In the in-vitro study three kinds of cells, namely, Melur (melanin free), KB-3 carcinoma cell line (non-melanoma) and B16-F10 melanoma cell line were used to evaluate the uptake of the radiotracers.

Synthesis of N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-4-(4-fluoro-benzamido)-2-methoxybenzamide (desiodo-MIP-1145) by coupling technique and its radioiodination: a potential melanoma imaging agent.

Radioiodinated MIP-1145, which specifically targets melanin, is an ideal candidate for targeted therapy of melanoma. An analogue of MIP-1145 lacking the iodo-substituent (desiodo-MIP-1145) was synthesized as a labeling precursor in three simple steps. The radioiodination of desiodo-MIP-1145 by iodine-125 was carried out via an electrophilic substitution reaction. An optimization study for the iodination reaction was carried out. The labeled compound was isolated and purified by means of electrophoresis and HPLC. The maximum radiochemical yield, 76%, was obtained with radiochemical purity greater than 99%. The log P value for [(125) I]MIP-1145 was measured as 4.5.

Language barriers in medical education and attitudes towards Arabization of medicine: student and staff perspectives.

Students and staff perspectives on language barriers in medical education in Egypt and their attitude towards Arabization of the medical curriculum were explored in a questionnaire survey of 400 medical students and 150 staff members. Many students (56.3%) did not consider learning medicine in English an obstacle, and 44.5% of staff considered it an obstacle only in the 1st year of medical school. Many other barriers to learning other than language were mentioned. However, 44.8% of students translated English terms to Arabic to facilitate studying and 70.6% of students in their clinical study years would prefer to learn patient history-taking in Arabic. While Arabization in general was strongly declined, teaching in Arabic language was suggested as appropriate in some specialties.

Epidemiologic pattern of falls among inpatients in Ain Shams University Hospitals in Cairo, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Patient falls and injuries during hospitalization is a good quality indicator of safety of inpatients. Data on inpatients falls are deficient in Egyptian hospitals. Ain Shams university hospitals do not have any recording system for falls. AIM: This study aimed at estimating the incidence density of falls and describing pattern and risk factors contributing to falls in Ain shams university hospitals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective follow up study was conducted on inpatients admitted to Ain Shams university hospitals. Patients were followed up for a maximum of two weeks for the occurrence of fall. An interview questionnaire addressed to in-patients was designed to investigate the incident of fall. Type of fall, provisional cause, consequences, night or day timing of fall, walking condition in hospital and past history of fall were among the factors investigated in the incident of fall. Questionnaire assessing the basic and instrumental daily activities for the elderly (>60 years) was completed. RESULTS: 1779 patients were included in the study in eight different wards with a mean age of 41.8 years. The incidence density of falls was 9 per 1000 patient days. Logistic regression analysis identified male gender, walking difficulties in-hospital and history offalls before hospitalization as independent risk factors for falls among below 60 years patients. CONCLUSION: Incidence of falls is relatively high among the studied university hospitals. Identified risk factors differed among adults compared to elderly. RECOMMENDATIONS: Measuring, monitoring and assessing fall rates are strongly recommended using a valid and reliable tool to improve quality of health services.

Language barriers in medical education and attitudes towards Arabization of medicine: student and staff perspectives

Students and staff perspectives on language barriers in medical education in Egypt and their attitude towards Arabization of the medical curriculum were explored in a questionnaire survey of 400 medical students and 150 staff members. Many students [56.3%] did not consider learning medicine in English an obstacle, and 44.5% of staff considered it an obstacle only in the 1st year of medical school. Many other barriers to learning other than language were mentioned. However, 44.8% of students translated English terms to Arabic to facilitate studying and 70.6% of students in their clinical study years would prefer to learn patient history-taking in Arabic. While Arabization in general was strongly declined, teaching in Arabic language was suggested as appropriate in some specialties

Excitation functions of (alpha,xn) reactions on (nat)Rb and (nat)Sr from threshold up to 26 MeV: possibility of production of (87)Y, (88)Y and (89)Zr.

Excitation functions were measured by the stacked-foil technique for (nat)Rb(alpha,xn)(87m,87m+g,88)Y and (nat)Sr(alpha,xn)(86,88,89)Zr reactions from their respective thresholds up to 26 MeV. The samples for irradiation were prepared by sedimentation and pellet pressing techniques. The measured data were compared with those available in the literature. From the excitation functions, integral yields of the products were calculated. The suitable energy ranges for the production of (87)Y and (88)Y via (nat)Rb(alpha,xn) processes and of (89)Zr via the (nat)Sr(alpha,xn) process are E(alpha)=26-->20 MeV, E(alpha)=26-->5 MeV and E(alpha)=20-->8.5 MeV, respectively. The respective yields amount to 8.2, 0.08 and 0.9 MBq/microA h. Production of (88)Y is feasible if a waiting time of about 2 months is allowed to let the impurities decay out. Also, (87)Y can be produced with a relatively low impurity of (88)Y. The yields of both (88)Y and (87)Y via the present routes are, however, appreciably lower than those via the (nat)Sr(p,xn) processes. There is a possibility to produce (89)Zr via the alpha-particle irradiation of (nat)Sr. The yield is rather low but would be considerably increased if enriched (86)Sr would be used as target material. The radionuclidic impurity levels in all the three products are discussed.

Spectroscopic and voltammetric studies of pefloxacin bound to calf thymus double-stranded DNA.

Spectral and electrochemical studies have been carried out on the interaction of pefloxacin with calf thymus double-stranded dsDNA. The voltammetric behavior of pefloxacin was investigated at glassy carbon, carbon paste and dsDNA-modified carbon paste electrodes using cyclic voltammetry. Pefloxacin was oxidized, yielding one irreversible oxidation peak. The modification of the carbon paste surface with dsDNA allowed an accumulation process to take place for pefloxacin such that higher sensitivity was achieved compared with the bare surface. The response was characterized with respect to ionic strength, accumulation time, pefloxacin concentration, and other variables. The stripping differential pulse voltammetric response showed a linear calibration curve in the range 1.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) with a detection limit of 5.0 x 10(-8) mol l(-1) at the dsDNA modified electrode. The method was applied to the direct determination of pefloxacin in diluted urine samples.

Evaluation of dizziness at Jordan University Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed prospectively to evaluate the dizzy patients in the Neurotology Outpatient clinic at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan during the period 1993-2000 and to discuss the prevalence and etiology of dizziness. METHODS: Data were collected from 108 patients (52 males and 56 females) with a mean age of 45.6-years. Diagnosis was made on the basis of history, physical, otolaryngological and neurological examination and confirmed by relevant investigation including laboratory, radiological and audio vestibular tests. RESULTS: Secure diagnosis were made in 98% of patients (14% had one cause alone and 84% had multiple causes). Cardiovascular disorders accounted for 31.5% of primary and 49% of secondary causes, peripheral vestibular disorders, 25% of primary and 3% of secondary causes, central vestibular disorders 17% of primary and 9% of secondary causes, metabolic endocrine 13% of primary and 38% of secondary causes, cervical osteoarthritis 5.5% of primary and 28% of secondary causes and psychogenic 4.6% of primary and 6.5% of secondary causes. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that vertigo is the most common subtype of dizziness (50%). Multiple causes are more prevalent in older age and the single cause is more prevalent in younger age. Cardiovascular was the most common cause of dizziness followed by vestibular disorders, metabolic and cervical osteoarthritis. Vestibular disorders are primary causes and non vestibular are predominantly secondary causes of dizziness. Hyperlipidemia, diabetes and cervical causes are major secondary contributors to dizziness. We recommend a multi disciplinary setting and application of a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment approach without unnecessary protracted investigative scheme and installment of rehabilitation facilities.

Assessment of body hydration in subjects with schistosomiasis.

Total body water (TBW) was measured by deuterium oxide dilution (D2O) and predicted by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) (Deurenberg, Schouten, Andreoli and De Lorenzo 1993) in 21 subjects with Schistosoma mansoni infection and 17 healthy controls of similar age (32.8 +/- 13.7 years, n=38). Patients were selected to have no visible fluid retention and no cardiac or renal abnormalities. Body hydration (TBW per kg of body weight) was significantly higher in patients with schistosomiasis than in controls (62.9 +/- 3.6 vs 57.4 +/- 4.3%, p < 0.0005). A significant correlation was found between albumin levels and TBW% on the pooled sample (n=38; r=0.660, p < 0.0001). This relationship was not influenced by the presence of disease, as determined by ANCOVA. Values of TBW predicted by BIA were highly correlated and not significantly different (p=n.s., ANOVA) from those measured by D2O in both controls and patients (r=0.854, p < 0.001, SEE = 2.3 1, CV=5.9% and r=0.848, p < 0.001, SEE=4.0 1, CV=9.3%, respectively). The bias (TBW by BIA - TBW by D2O) was of 0.9 +/- 3.7 in controls and of -1.3 +/- 4.2 1 in patients. This bias was significantly correlated to TBW% in patients (r=0.575, p < 0.05) but not in controls (p=n.s.). It is concluded that subjects with schistosomiasis show an apparent subclinical increase in body hydration which could affect the prediction of TBW from BIA.

Hearing thresholds of workers in a printing facility.

Forty-five exposed workers from a printing facility at Menoufia University and 45 controls were chosen for this study. All subjects underwent evaluations (personal histories and clinical examinations) and laboratory tests to determine blood lead levels and pure tone hearing thresholds. The work environment was tested for total respirable lead in fumes and particles and for noise levels. Total respirable lead was as high as 23.7 microg/m3; the noise level was as high as 50 dB. The exposed workers' mean blood lead level was significantly higher than that of the controls (36.94 +/- 4.36 and 11.51 +/- 1.22 microg/dl, respectively) and higher than the biological exposure index of 30 microg/dl, which was established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. There was a significant increase in hearing thresholds among exposed workers compared to controls at frequencies of 1000-8000 Hz. Within the exposed workers, a significant association was found between hearing thresholds and blood lead levels; the hearing threshold rose as the blood lead level increased, especially at 8000 Hz. As duration of work increased (that is, years of exposure), the exposed workers' hearing thresholds increased, reaching a maximum at 8000 Hz. In conclusion, lead exposure can lead to an increase in hearing threshold level, even when exposure to noise is below the threshold limit value.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of dipstick haematuria and proteinuria in screening Schistosoma haematobium infection among school children in upper Egypt.

This study aimed at evaluation of validity and reliability of dipstick haematuria and proteinuria in screening school children for Schistosoma haematobium infection. It included a random sample of 400 school children aged 6-15 years in rural area of Fayoum Governorate, upper Egypt. Urine samples of the studied children were tested parasitologically by urine filtration technique as a reference test and semiquantitatively for haematuria and proteinuria using urine reagent strips as screening tests. Results of the study revealed that haematuria was a better indicator for Schistosoma haematobium infection than proteinuria, as it was more sensitive (85.5% 73.4%, respectively), specific (94.4% 82.9%, respectively) and reliable (kappa=92% 80%, respectively). Moreover, it had stronger relationship with intensity of infection (r=0.88 & 0.67, respectively). A combination of different grades of haematuria and proteinuria did not significantly increase either sensitivity or specificity. Dipstick haematuria could be a valuable technique in screening rural Egyptian school children who are at risk of urinary schistosmiasis.

Studies on serum beta-glucuronidase activity and urinary tryptophan metabolites in human fascioliasis.

In the last few years, human fascioliasis has been reported more frequently from different parts of the world including Egypt. The present work aimed to study the ability of fascioliasis affected patients to metabolize tryptophan and to explore how this disease can affect the activity of the hydrolytic lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase. Liver and kidney functions and complete blood pictures of the studied patients were considered. Eleven tryptophan metabolites together with 4-pyridoxic acid, the major metabolite of vitamin B6, were determined. Fascioliasis showed an abnormal pattern of tryptophan metabolism which resembled that described earlier by Kupke and Knapp and which indicated that those patients were suffering from vitamin B6 deficiency. This conclusion was proved by the decreased levels of 4-pyridoxic acid. Abnormally high levels of beta-glucuronidase were also encountered in the fascioliasis cases which points to the liver damage caused by the fluke.

Effect of temperature and ageing on the mechanical properties of dental polymeric composite materials.

Evaluation of the mechanical properties of some dental composite materials, Compact, Finesse and Prisma-Fil based on bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate resin was undertaken by applying compression, tension and hardness tests. The effects of temperature and ageing times on these properties were studied. There was a marked increase in the mechanical properties (compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, compressive elastic modulus and hardness) for all the investigated composites with increase of both temperature and time. This was explained in terms of the influence of temperature on the polymerization rate of the materials. The improvement in the mechanical properties of the samples, kept at 37 degrees C, was attributed to further and continued polymerization of the polymer content of their resin system. Such mechanical improvement was verified by the regression equation of linearity versus both temperature and time.

[Esophagoplasty in caustic stenosis in children. Apropos of 28 cases]. / Les oesophagoplasties pour sténose caustique chez l'enfant. A propos de 28 cas.

28 cases of oesophagectomy for caustic stenosis in children are reported. The authors discuss the technical modalities and the evolution of ideas, especially the importance of the oesophagectomy, in front of the risk of a secondary cancerisation. This severe complication becomes accentuated with the years and prescribes in children more systematic oesophagectomy concomitant or secondary to the oesophagoplasty.