Prediction of Length of Postoperative Ventilation in CDH Survivors; Preoperative and Operative Variables

Background/Purpose: The period taken for complete weaning from ventilation in cases of repaired congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) varies greatly. We tried to relate the endo-tracheal tube removal time (ETTRT) in these cases with the different variables; both preoperative and operative. Materials & Methods: This is a retrospective study of cases of CDH survivors managed by the authors over the period from January 2003 till February 2010. The preoperative variables included gestational age, gender, birth weight, Apgar score, the time of intubation, the ventilation strategy, the presence of a significant PDA in the ECHO study and the time-lapse till surgery. The operative variables (all by laparotomy approach) included the side of the hernia, the herniated contents, the presence of a sac, the insertion of a chest tube and the degree of abdominal wall stretch required. The successful weaning from ventilation and ETTRT were classified into two groups; ≤7 days and > 7 days postoperatively. Results: During the study period, 26 cases were included (21 Males and 5 females). The ETTRT ranged from 2 to 23 days (mean=7.7 ±7.15). Among the variables studied; the statistically significant ones (P value < 0.05) were Apgar score at 1 minute (preoperatively) and the need for "vigorous" abdominal wall stretch (operatively). Conclusion: Apgar score of less than 8 at 1 minute; preoperatively, and the need for "vigorous" abdominal wall stretch; operatively, were associated with delayed weaning from ventilation in CDH survivors. This could have a predictive value in the management of these cases.Index Word: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Mechanical ventilation weaning, Endo-tracheal tube removal

Physicochemical Studies and Biological Activity of Mixed Ligand Complexes Involving Bivalent Transition Metals, 2-Aminomethylthiophenyl-4-Bromosalicylaldehyde Schiff Base and Glycine

The Mixed-ligand complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) with 2-aminomethylthiophenyl-4-bromosalicylaldehyde Schiff base (ATS) and glycine as a representative example of amino acids have been achieved. These complexes namely [Ni(ATS)(Gly)] (1), [Co(ATS)(Gly)].H2O (3) [Mn(ATS)(Gly)].2H2O (2)  and [Zn(ATS)(Gly)] (4) were characterized by elemental, molar conductance, infrared, magnetic moment, and electronic spectra. ATS behaves as mononegatively charged bidentate ligand with coordination through azomethine nitrogen and phenolate oxygen groups while glycine acts as monobasic bidentate ligand is coordinated via amino and ionized carboxylate group after deprotonation. The low molar conductance values suggest the non-electrolytic nature of these complexes. The magnetic and spectral data indicates a square planar geometry for Ni2+ complex, tetrahedral geometry for Zn2+ and octahedral geometry for both Mn2+ and Co2+ complexes. The isolated chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activity. Keywords: Schiff base, Nickel(II); Glycine; Electronic Spectra; antibacterial activity

Sunflower oil-based hyperbranched alkyd/spherical ZnO nanocomposite modeling for mechanical and anticorrosive applications

Approaches for designing advanced nanomaterials with hyperbranched architectures and lack of volatile organic content (VOC) have attracted considerable attention. In this study, eco-friendly hyperbranched alkyd resins for mechanical and anticorrosive coatings with high solid content were successfully synthesized based on sunflower oil (SFO) via a polyesterification approach. These resins are characterized by energy-efficient polymer synthesis, lack of gelation properties, high functionality, and low viscosity. A chemical precipitation process was used to fabricate zinc oxide (ZnO) spherical nanostructures with controlled diameters and morphologies. A series of conformal, novel, low-cost SFO-based hyperbranched alkyd/spherical ZnO nanocomposites were fabricated through an ex situ method. Various nanofiller concentrations were distributed to establish synergetic effects on the micro-nano binary scale performance of the materials. The features of the nanocomposites, including the molecular weight, acid and hydroxyl values of the prepared alkyd resins, were concomitantly assessed through various standard tests. The nanocomposites were also subjected to various tests to determine their surface adhesion and mechanical properties, such as impact, T-bending, crosscut, and abrasion resistance tests. Furthermore, the physico-mechanical properties, anticorrosive behavior, thermal stabilities and cellular cytotoxicities of the fabricated materials were assessed. The anticorrosive features of the nanocomposites were investigated through salt spray tests in 5 wt% NaCl. The results indicate that well-dispersed ZnO nanospheres (0.5%) in the interior of the hyperbranched alkyd matrix improve the durability and anticorrosive attributes of the composites; thus, they exhibit potential applications in eco-friendly surface coatings

Eugenia supra-axillaris Essential Oil and Its Nanoemulsion: Chemical Characterization, In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antipyretic Activities

The use of standard synthetic medications to treat inflammatory illnesses is associated with several negative effects. It has been shown that medicinal plants and their by-products are useful for safely treating inflammation. Herein, the essential oil of Eugenia supra-axillaris (family: Myrtaceae, ESA-EO) was isolated and further chemically characterized by GC-MS, and then, its nanoemulsion (ESA-EO-NE) was prepared. In addition, the anti-inflammation against the carrageenan-induced rats, the analgesic, and antipyretic activities of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE were evaluated in rats. Forty-three compounds were identified via GC-MS and categorized as mono- (61.38%) and sesquiterpenes (34.86%). d-limonene (32.82%), α-pinene (24.33%), germacrene-D (4.88%), α-humulene (4.73%), α-cadinol (3.39%), and trans-caryophyllene (3.15%) represented the main components. The administration of ES-EO and ES-EO-NE (50 and 100 mg/kg) demonstrated strong, dose-dependent inflammation inhibition capabilities in the model of rat paw edema, in comparison with both the reference drug and control. Reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), increased levels of glutathione (GSH), and decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α), nitrosative (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in paw tissues all contributed to these substantial reductions in inflammation. Moreover, the oral administration of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE (50 and 100 mg/kg) exhibited potent analgesic and antipyretic activities in rats. Although the higher dose of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE (100 mg/kg) displayed delayed anti-inflammatory activity, they have long-lasting inflammation inhibition with fast onset and long-standing analgesic effects better than reference drugs. Furthermore, the most effective antipyretic efficacy was provided by ESA-EO-NE (100 mg/kg). These results provide insight into the possible therapeutic application of ESA-EO and its nanoemulsion against various inflammatory and painful illnesses as well as hyperthermia ailments

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT POMEGRANATE PEEL AGAINST STERIGMATOCYSTIN TOXICITY IN RAT

Introduction and Aim: Sterigmatocystin (Stg) a mycotoxin with mutagenic and carcinogenic properties is commonly found as the contaminant in grains and animal feeds. Pomegranate peel is a rich source of antioxidants, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. So the aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous extract of red Pomegranate peel against Stg toxicity in liver, kidney, intestine and lung as well as final body weight using male rats. Methods: Forty eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into six groups (8rats/group) including the control group that fed on a standard diet and water without any treatment, group 2 fed on standard diet plus aqueous extract of RPP (250 mg/rat/day), group 3 fed on standard diet plus aqueous extract of RPP (500 mg/ rat/day), group 4 fed on a standard diet and orally Stg. dissolved at a dose (18µg/rat/day), group 5 fed on a standard diet and Stg  plus aqueous extract of RPP (250mg/day) and group 6 fed on a standard diet and Stg. plus aqueous extract of RPP (500mg/day). At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected for serum biochemical analyses. After collecting the blood samples all animals were scarified and dissected samples of liver, kidney, intestine and lung were collected for histological examination. Results: The total phenols and total flavonoids, compounds in aqueous extract of RPP were 1.38 mg/ml and 680.28 mg/ml, respectively. However, the antioxidant activity amounted to 68.0% in the determination of radical DPPH scavenging activity. On the other hand, results indicated that rat orally Stg plus aqueous extract of RPP with low dose and high doses showed a significant improvement in final body weight compared with group administrated of Stg alone. While, the effect of aqueous extract of RPP on kidney and liver function of rats, the results indicated that the rat orally Stg alone caused significant increased in urea, creatinine and uric acid compared with the control group. The aqueous extract of RPP alone at the two tested doses did not induce any significant changes in the biochemical parameters or the histological picture. The combined treatment showed significant improvements in all tested parameters and histological pictures in the liver tissues. Moreover, this improvement was more pronounced in the group received the high dose of aqueous extract of RPP. Conclusion: From results it can be concluded that u the aqueous extract of RPP has a potent antioxidant activity and a protective effect against Stg toxicity and this protection was dose dependent. Keywords: Sterigmatocystin, Red pomegranate peels (RPP), aqueous extract, liver and kidney

Effect of Nickel Content on the Corrosion Resistance of Iron-Nickel Alloys in Concentrated Hydrochloric Acid Pickling Solutions

The effect of Ni content on the resistance against corrosion of Fe-36% Ni and Fe-45% Ni alloys in 1 M hydrochloric acid pickling solution was reported. Various electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques such as potentiodynamic cyclic polarization (CPP), open-circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiostatic current-time (PCT), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) have been employed. CPP measurements indicated that the corrosion current and corrosion rate recorded lower values for the alloy that had higher nickel content. OCP curves proved that the presence of high Ni content shifts the absolute potential to the positive potential direction. EIS results revealed that the surface and polarization resistances were much higher for the alloy with higher Ni content. PCT curves also showed that the absolute currents were lower for Fe-45% Ni alloy. All results were in good agreement with others and confirmed clearly that the corrosion resistance in HCl solutions for Fe-45% Ni alloy was higher than that obtained for Fe-45% Ni alloy

BEHAVIOUR of "CANINO" APRICOT CULTIVAR GROWN IN THREE DIFFERENT SOILS

The response of “Canino” apricot trees to different soils were studied in three different regions, in El-Menoufia Governorate (as a sand and clay soil) & Alexandria Governorate (as a calcareous soil) during the two successive seasons of 2010 & 2011. Evaluation included vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, tree productivity and fruit characteristics. Chilling units as well as growing –degree hours were also estimated through the two studied seasons. Results indicated that the vegetative growth was the best in clay soil for shoot length, leaf area and leaf chlorophyll content. Concerning periods of flowering, fruit set and harvesting dates there were variations among the three types of soils. Sand soil was the earliest followed by clay and calcareous soils. Percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were positively affected by soil type. Also, Fe, Mn and Zn were affected by soil type. “Canino” apricot trees produced earlier fruit yield with the better fruit quality in sandy soil, whereas clay soil type gave the greatest yield followed by sand and calcareous soils

Hepatitis C-Associated Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disorders: A Single Center Experience

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health concern in Egypt with its unique genotype. Besides liver disease, HCV is a lymphotropic virus involved in the pathogenesis of various extrahepatic diseases. A causative role of HCV in the generation of chronic lymphoproliferative diseases as well as its impact on disease behavior in HCV chronic carriers are not fully understood. We investigated the prevalence of HCV among cohort of Egyptian patients (n:84) with chronic lymphoproliferative diseases, the relation between HCV infection and the immunological state of this opulation and also their clinical and laboratory characteristics. High prevalence of HCV (40%) among Egyptian patients with chronic lymphoproliferative diseases with following subtype frequency was revealed; CLL (38.2%) followed by DLBCL (20.6%), and LPL (17.6%). We found significant correlation between HCV and platelet count (P=0.014), Albumin (P=0.02), LDH (P=0.014) and B2M (P=0.05). Otherwise, there were no significant correlations with other parameters especially the immunological assessment; serum immunoglobulins, Coombs test, and cryoglobulinemia. HCV prevalence among patients with chronic lymphoproliferative diseases is higher than that estimated in the general population. Those patients should be tested for HCV during the assessment. Our observations suggest that HCV may have an oncogenic role in Egyptian patients with chronic lymphoproliferative diseases and it may affect the prognostic markers in those populations