Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in patients with tuberculosis and its impact in the incidence of anti-tuberculosis drugs induced hepatotoxicity

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with tuberculosis (TB) has not been extensively investigated, and very limited data on rates of HCV co-infection among patients with TB exists. Hepatotoxicity is the major adverse effect of three of the first line anti-TB agents: isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), and pyrazinamide (PZA). Chronic liver disease raises a risk of hepatotoxicity during anti-tuberculosis treatment, up to three to five times more than TB patients who do not have viral infection.AimTo assess the prevalence of HCV infection in patients with tuberculosis and its impact in the incidence of anti-tuberculosis drug induced hepatotoxicity (DIH).Subjects and methodsThe prevalence of HCV in patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis was estimated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then patients were classified into 2 groups: group I (patients with HCV-TB coinfections) and group II (HCV-seronegative tuberculous patients). Baseline and monthly measuring liver transaminases was done before and following the start of 1st line anti-tuberculosis therapy.ResultsThe prevalence of HCV in patients with TB was 17.02%. Regarding DIH, in group I; 6 (40%) cases showed transient transaminase elevations and 6 (40%) cases developed DIH. In group II; 11 (20.75%) cases developed transient transaminase elevations and only 2 (3.78%) cases developed DIH, and there was a highly significant difference (<0.01) between both groups. Regarding the severity of DIH, in group I; 4 cases were mild, one case was moderate and one case was severe. While in group II, no cases was with severe DIH. The risk factors for developing DIH during anti-tuberculosis therapy were; age ⩾40, high baselines transaminases, ALP and total bilirubin, and low BMI. Most cases of DIH occurred during the 1st 4weeks of starting anti-tuberculosis therapy (66.7% and 50% in group I and group II, respectively).ConclusionsTuberculosis and hepatitis C virus co-infection is common, and elevation of liver functions during anti-tuberculosis therapy is not uncommon. HCV-positive patients with tuberculosis should be closely monitored during treatment especially if they had elevated baseline liver functions, old age and with low BMI. Monitoring should include the whole period of treatment, especially the 1st 2months

Historical and Archaeological Study of Nefer-Seshem-Ptah and šḫntíw Tomb at Saqqara Necropolis

This study reports the first analytical study conducted on samples of bedrock, and plaster layers, and also painting techniques employed by the ancient craftsmen. Collected from Nefer-Seshem-Ptah and šḫntíw tomb, the unique construction at Saqqara necropolis in Egypt, the samples, which comprise the microscopic particularities, were assessed by digital optical microscope, while the petrographic analysis was performed by polarized light microscope. An X-ray diffractometer was used to analyze the bedrock and plaster layers samples. Further, the molecular and vibrational attributions of some fragments and pigment grains were recognized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer and Raman Micro Spectrometer (μ-Raman). As a result, the studied bedrock indicates that calcite and quartz are the main minerals, whereas halite is revealed in other samples. In addition, assemblages were identified as clay mineral including montmorillonite and kaolinite. Further, the thin-section observation revealed a clayey fossiliferous and micrite. The observation on the plaster layers formed of coarse gypsumincludes little amount of limestone powder, together with fine sand, while the second layer weas composed mainly of a clay plaster with straw plants. The cross-sectional observation on the plaster layers defined three layers, which are mainly made up of calcium carbonate (calcite), quartz and clay. Minerals were identified in varying proportions. Likely, Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy analysis of the samples disclosed that the craftsmen used animal glue as media to decorate the tomb, which means the “Tempera” Technique was used to decorate Nefer-Seshem-Ptah and šḫntíw tomb.šḫntíwのšとíは、チェコ語のšとíを代用している

Design methodology for square wave resonant clock generators

[abstract not available

Parallel and Distributed Powerset Generation Using Big Data Processing

Data mining algorithms are more important today as it allows stakeholders to get a 360-degree view of their customers. Recently, powerset has become the basic core for many algorithms and techniques in different data mining domains as it provides optimal solutions for many problems in data mining. Nevertheless, it is challenging to be used in several instances because the complexity of powerset grows exponentially with the number of sets. Constructing powerset from huge datasets on a single machine causes an out-of-memory exception. So, from a business perspective in mega data projects, the enterprise companies need to invest a lot of money to build high-performance system infrastructure of powerset. Also, enterprise companies have to invest more money to build a standby system to keep the system alive if the high-performance machines break down. Furthermore, the existing powerset techniques are designed for structured data and not useful in intensive processing using in-memory unstructured data store. Thus, this paper tackles most problems that hinder deploying powerset algorithm toward Big Data and presents a series of pruning techniques that can greatly improve construction efficiency of powerset generation. The approach allows enterprise companies to explore huge data volumes and gain business insights into near-real-time and save the cost of infrastructure

ISSN 2347-954X (Print) Monotherapy using Cefepime in Comparison to Dual Therapy (PIP/TAZO plus Amikacin) for Febrile Neutropenic Pediatric Patients with Solid Tumors

Abstract: Infectious diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Neutropenia has been recognized form any decades as a major risk factor for the development of infections in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Effective strategies to anticipate, prevent, and manage infectious complications in neutropenic cancer patients have led to improved outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of Cefepime monotherapy versus dual therapy with PIP/TAZO plus Amikacin for empirical treatment of neutropenic fever in children with solid tumors. Data of one hundred and thirty episodes in 80 patients treated with monotherapy as well as one hundred and twenty one episodes in 62 patients treated with dual therapy were analyzed. These episodes occurred in patients with solid tumors who were admitted to the pediatric oncology department a

Breathing pattern in asthmatic patients during exercise

Objectives: To study the effect of exercise on asthmatic breathing pattern. Background: Asthmatic patients have been reported to be breathless regardless of the degree of airway obstruction. Task performance may induce changes in breathing pattern and these in turn may mediate such a feeling. There is increasing interest in the use of breathing modification techniques in the treatment of asthma. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 asthmatic patients in stable mild state, they were selected from the Chest Department of the Menoufia University Hospital from February 2014 to September 2014. All patients were subjected to clinical history and examination, plain chest-X-ray (postero-anterior and lateral views), ECG and echo if needed, pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Results: Breathing pattern parameters tidal volume (VT), respiratory rate (RR), minute ventilation (VE), mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) increased during exercise then decreased during the recovery period while inspiratory time (TI) and total breath duration (Ttot) decreased during exercise then decreased during the recovery period. There was an increase in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF). Forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) during exercise and a decrease during the recovery period while forced expiratory time (FET100%) showed an opposite change. Conclusion: Breathing pattern was altered significantly during exercise in asthmatic patients