Carbonate alteration of ophiolitic rocks in the Arabian–Nubian Shield of Egypt: sources and compositions of the carbonating fluid and implications for the formation of Au deposits

Ultramafic portions of ophiolitic fragments in the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS) show pervasive carbonate alteration forming various degrees of carbonated serpentinites and listvenitic rocks. Notwithstanding the extent of the alteration, little is known about the processes that caused it, the source of the CO2 or the conditions of alteration. This study investigates the mineralogy, stable (O, C) and radiogenic (Sr) isotope composition, and geochemistry of suites of variably carbonate altered ultramafics from the Meatiq area of the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt. The samples investigated include least-altered lizardite (Lz) serpentinites, antigorite (Atg) serpentinites and listvenitic rocks with associated carbonate and quartz veins. The C, O and Sr isotopes of the vein samples cluster between −8.1‰ and −6.8‰ for δ13C, +6.4‰ and +10.5‰ for δ18O, and 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7028–0.70344, and plot within the depleted mantle compositional field. The serpentinites isotopic compositions plot on a mixing trend between the depleted-mantle and sedimentary carbonate fields. The carbonate veins contain abundant carbonic (CO2±CH4±N2) and aqueous-carbonic (H2O-NaCl-CO2±CH4±N2) low salinity fluid, with trapping conditions of 270–300°C and 0.7–1.1 kbar. The serpentinites are enriched in Au, As, S and other fluid-mobile elements relative to primitive and depleted mantle. The extensively carbonated Atg-serpentinites contain significantly lower concentrations of these elements than the Lz-serpentinites suggesting that they were depleted during carbonate alteration. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope compositions of Au deposits in the CED are similar to those from the carbonate veins investigated in the study and we suggest that carbonation of ANS ophiolitic rocks due to influx of mantle-derived CO2-bearing fluids caused break down of Au-bearing minerals such as pentlandite, releasing Au and S to the hydrothermal fluids that later formed the Au-deposits. This is the first time that gold has been observed to be remobilized from rocks during the lizardite–antigorite transition

Comparison of the percentage of NRBC/100 WBC in early onset sepsis and non-infectious premature infants

Introduction. In spite of significant advances in medical care, neonatal sepsis remains an important risk factor for neonatal morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to compare the number of nucleated red blood cells per 100 white blood cells (NRBC/100WBC) in neonates with early onset sepsis and non-infectious neonates. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study of 154 neonates admitted to the NICU of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran within the first three days of life, during 2014 to 2018, the characteristics of 44 neonates identified early onset sepsis (Case group) were compared with 110 non-infectious neonates (Control group). After the confirmation of sepsis in neonates based on positive blood culture and laboratory results, a researcher-made questionnaire containing neonatal characteristics (gestational age, weight, first minute Apgar scores, fifth minute Apgar score, duration of oxygen therapy, and mechanical ventilation duration) and neonatal laboratory profiles (routine blood culture, WBC, NRBC/100WBC, CRP, blood glucose, calcium and venous blood gas) was filled in. Results. The results of this study showed that the absolute number of NRBC/mm3 in control group was 56.07±86.65 and in case group was 592.70±1166.75 (p = 0.000). Also, the number of NRBC per 100 white blood cells in control group was 6.54±11.18 and in case group was 31.84±40.07 (p = 0.000). The absolute number of NRBC/mm3 for the detection of early onset sepsis had a good sensitivity (78%) and NRBC/100WBC was suitable specificity (68.2%). Conclusion. This study indicated that NRBC/100 WBC and absolute NRBC count/mm3 can be helpful in the diagnosis of early onset sepsis and have an acceptable sensitivity and specificity

Effects of Massage on Duration of Phototherapy in Premature Infants ‎Admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Approximately 80% of premature infants are diagnosed with icterus, most of whom are treated by phototherapy. Given the adverse effects of this treatment on neonates, minimizing the duration of phototherapy seems to be necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of massage on the duration of phototherapy in premature infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. METHODS: This clinical trial was performed on premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Qaem Hospital of Mashhad, Iran, in 2011. The infants were randomly divided into intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The infants of both groups were similar in terms of weight, age, and the level of bilirubin. The intervention group received massage therapy (including massage and passive movements of the body parts) on a daily basis for three 15-minute courses at three consecutive hours for five days. The control group received the routine care and phototherapy. After the intervention, the two groups were compared in terms of duration of phototherapy and level of transcutaneous bilirubin. FINDINGS: The mean duration of phototherapy in the intervention and control groups was 80.8±61.58 and 112.8±75.45 hours, respectively. However, this difference was not statistically significant. On the fifth day of the intervention, the level of transcutaneous bilirubin was 9.7 and 8.1 mg/dl in the intervention and control groups, respectively, this difference was not significant as well. CONCLUSION: Massage can be used as an effective method alongside with phototherapy to minimize the duration of phototherapy for premature healthy infants in clinically stable conditions

Comparison of the Effect of Cotoneaster Manna Drop (Bilineaster) and Massage on Bilirubin in Neonates under Phototherapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Neonatal jaundice is one of the most common problems in neonatal period. Considering that the most effective and most commonly used neonatal jaundice treatment is phototherapy, the use of complementary therapies such as massage and herbal medicines is common in our society to reduce jaundice. Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare the effect of cotoneaster manna drop (bilineaster) and massage on bilirubin in neonates under phototherapy. METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted on 68 neonates admitted to the pediatric ward of Vali-Asr Hospital in Birjand in 2015. The neonates were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (n=21) received the routine care. The massage group (n=23) received massage by field technique, three times a day for 15 minutes in addition to phototherapy. The cotoneaster manna drop (bilineaster) group (n=24) received three oral drops of bilineaster for every eight kilograms of body weight in addition to phototherapy. Then, the rate of reduction in neonatal bilirubin was compared in the three groups (IRCT: 2016101830370N1). FINDINGS: The mean reduction rate of bilirubin per hour in the first 24 hours was 0.27±0.19 in the control group, 0.23±0.17 in the massage group and 0.25±0.18 in the bilineaster drop group. In addition, the mean reduction rate in the second 24 hours was 0.4±0.26 in the control group, 0.22±0.18 in the massage group and 0.26±0.22 in the bilineaster drop group. In the third 24 hours, the mean reduction rate was 0.19±0.17 in the control group, 0.9±0.13 in the massage group and 0.7±0.1 in the bilineaster drop group, which had no significant difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that field massage and administration of cotoneaster manna drop (bilineaster) during neonates’ hospitalization had no effect on the reduction of bilirubin in neonates under phototherapy and these interventions cannot be effectiv

Developmental Disorders in Preterm Neonates during the First Two Years of Life Using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: With the advancement of medical care procedures, survival rate of preterm neonates has increased remarkably. In Iran, few studies have assessed the extent and severity of developmental disorders in these infants. This study aimed to evaluate developmental disorders in premature neonates. METHODS: This cohort study was conducted on 270 premature infants born in Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran with mean birth weight of 1460±40 grams. Data on pregnancy, parturition and complications during hospitalization were recorded. Moreover, preterm neonates were evaluated in terms of developmental delay at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age based on the Ages and Stages questionnaire (ASQ). FINDINGS: In this study, symptoms of developmental delay were observed in 152 neonates (56%) at six months, 115 neonates (42.7%) at 12 months, 101 infants (37.5%) at 18 months, and 49 neonates (18%) at 24 months. In addition, abnormal development was detected in different areas, including communication (n=21, 7.8%), major movements (n=53, 19.6%), minor movements (n=74, 27.5%), social interactions (n=89, 33%), and problem solving (n=153, 57%). After a two-year follow-up, 27 infants (60%) had asphyxia, 29 (28%) had respiratory distress syndrome, and 20 infants (15%) had developmental disorders. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, about one-sixth of preterm neonates had developmental delay at two years of age. The highest rate of developmental disorders was observed in the area of problem solving, which should be taken into account in neonatal rehabilitation services. On the other hand, appropriate monitoring of neonatal asphyxia and jaundice is likely to reduce the risk of other complications during infanc

Complications of Neonatal Jaundice and the Predisposing Factors in ‎Newborns

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common problems during the neonatal period. Despite the severe complications of jaundice, no reliable data is available regarding the prevalence of acute and chronic complications of jaundice and the predisposing factors in our community. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the complications of neonatal jaundice and the predisposing factors in neonates. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on icteric, term newborns with bilirubin level higher than 20 mg/dl, referring to Ghaem Hospital during 2003-2013. After history taking and physical examinations, developmental status of infants was followed within six and twelve months after birth, using Denver Developmental Screening Test-II. The newborns were divided into two groups, based on the occurrence or non-occurrence of complications (e.g., acute or chronic kernicterus, auditory disorders and developmental disorders). Afterwards, predisposing factors for these complications were evaluated.  FINDINGS Complications of jaundice were reported in 143 (13.37%) out of 1069 neonates. The two groups were not significantly different in terms of variables such as neonatal age and gender or maternal age. However, there was a significant difference between the children with and withod complication regarding treatment modality and mean total serum bilirubin level (27 mg/dl vs. 32 mg/dl) (p<0.05). The predisposing factors for neonatal complications were as follows: idiopathic jaundice (30%), ABO incompatibility (18%), Rh incompatibility (14.8%), G6PD deficiency (12.6%) and sepsis (3.3%). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that ABO incompatibility, Rh incompatibility and G6PD deficiency were the most common risk factors for jaundice, followed by idiopathic jaundice