Elevated serum KL-6 in pediatric asthma exacerbation: a proof of alveolar injury

Background: Asthma is one of the most popular chronic diseases in children. It is defined as a complicated inflammatory disorder in which the patient suffers from chronic and persistent inflammation of the airways. The sialylated glycoprotein Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), one of the lung epithelium-specific proteins, has been recognized as a significant biomarker which directly associates with interstitial lung disease (ILD) pathogenesis, indicating the extent of damage and regeneration of type II pneumocytes. Objective: the aim of this study is to investigate the degree of alveolar damage in asthmatic children with acute exacerbation as reflected by serum KL-6 levels. Methods: This cross-sectional controlled study included 50 patients with acute asthma exacerbation diagnosed as per the GINA guidelines definition and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy children as controls. Spirometry was done for all participants. Serum KL-6 level was estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and total serum IgE level was measured via the electrochemiluminescence technology. Results: The asthma patients included 35 (70%) males and 15 (30%) females with mean age of 10.76 ±1.9 years. Forty-seven patients (94%) had a positive family history of bronchial asthma and 32 (64%) had other atopic manifestations The mean serum KL-6 level in patients was more than double the mean level of the control group (115.79 vs 55.64). No significant relation was observed between KL-6 serum level and age, family history of asthma, seasonal variation, or atopic manifestation among the cases. Serum total IgE levels were significantly higher in cases compared to controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Serum KL-6 levels in pediatric asthma patients may be a useful diagnostic tool for detecting and monitoring the severity of airway inflammation. The use of serum KL-6 alone may help to differentiate between asthmatic patients in exacerbation and healthy controls

Effect of aggregates with high gypsum content on the performance of concrete

Sulfates in fine aggregate are a major problem when it exists in excessive amount especially in the Middle East and Iraq. Most of sulfate salts in fine aggregate are composed of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium sulfates. Calcium sulfates is the most common salt present in fine aggregate. It is usually finding as gypsum. It is difficult to obtain the specific sulfates content in fine aggregate within standard specifications. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of adding different contents of gypsum to fine aggregate as a replacement by weight on some properties of two types of concrete {self-compacted concrete (SCC) and high strength concrete (HSC)}. In these work three bases mixes of each type of concrete are used: mixes with different contents of metakaolin, mixes with different contents of gypsum and mixes incorporating different contents of metakaolin and gypsum. This study is devoted to determine the allowable content of sulfates in fine aggregate. Three levels of gypsum were tested (0.5, 1, 1.5) % by weight of fine aggregate and three levels of metakaolin were tested (5, 10, 15) % by the weight of cement. The experimental program is devoted to produce concrete with different levels of metakaolin and gypsum and determine its mechanical properties such as compressive strength and splitting tensile strength. The results arrived from this work show that the optimum gypsum content was 1.5% by weight of fine aggregates for mixes of SCC which gives increases in compressive strength and tensile strength, and 1% gypsum for mixes of HSC, results showed also that the metakaolin improved the properties of the two types of concrete and increased the loss which caused by sulfates. The best mix ever in SCC is 1% gypsum with 5% metakaolin, and 1% gypsum with 10% metakaolin for HSC

Studies on Some Parasitic Diseases in Oreochromis niloticus Fish Hatchery with Emphasis to Life Stages

This study was conducted on 210 Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) of different life stages including (100 fry, 100 fingerlings and 10 broodstocks) obtained from a private fish hatchery at Kafer El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt; during August 2014. The hatchery complains 30% mortality among fry and fingerlings while no mortalities was recorded among broodstocks. Parasitological examination revealed heavy infestation with Triochodina species (sp.) in all examined life stages at a prevalence rate 100%. In addition, Gyrodactylus sp. was recorded in gills of fry, fingerlings and broodstocks at a rate of 5, 12, and 10 %, respectively. Kidneys and gills of all examined life stages showed heavy infestations with Myxosporean sp., with 100 % prevalence rate. Haemogregarina sp. was described in the blood of fingerlings and gill tissues of broodstocks. Additionally, Encysted metacerceria was observed in gills of broodstocks. The recovered parasites were demonstrated hisopathologically in the gill and kidney tissues of the examined fish. The histopathological examination revealed that the infested gills exhibited serious lesions such as hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the lining epithelial cells of the gill filaments, fusion and necrosis of secondary lamellae and vasodilatation. The lining epithelium of the renal tubules showed degenerative and necrotic changes with the presence of various developmental stages of myxosporidia. In conclusion, fry and fingerlings exhibited high mortalities, while no mortality was recorded among broodstocks, regardless the intensity of infestation and severity of pathological alterations which was intense in broodstocks

Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter species infection among neonatal sepsis

Background: Neonatal septicemia is regarded as one of the leading causes of mortality as well as morbidity globally. There is emerging evidence that multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) and mortality are linked in the scientific literature.Objective: It was the goal of this work to improve the prognosis of neonates with Acinetobacter species through early detection of infection and risk factors associated with increased mortality and effective management.Patients and Methods: Our study was done on 60 neonates who were suspected to having sepsis at Zagazig University Hospitals, Pediatric Department. All neonatal blood samples were taken aseptically and the bacteria that caused septicemia were identified. Acinetobacter species were identified. Drug sensitivity tests were performed on a variety of risk variables.Results: Only nine patients had Acinetobacter infection (15% of all patients) and two thirds of them had multi drug resistance (resistant for ≥3 antimicrobials). Gestational age more than or equal 36 weeks was protective factor against getting infection with MDR-Acinetobacter among the studied patients. Acinetobacter was most sensitive to ciprofloxacin and tigecycline antibiotic, while it was most resistant to sulphamethoxazole /trimethoprim antibioticsConclusion: Neonatal MDR Acinetobacter septicemia is on the rise, and it's connected with high morbidity as well as mortality rates. There must be an infection control policy in place at every neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in order to control Acinetobacter infection and enhance outcomes

Physostigmine: A Plant Alkaloid Isolated from Physostigma venenosum: A Review on Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities

Medicinal plants have been documented as an important source for discovering new pharmaceutical molecules that have been used to treat serious diseases. Strikingly, previous reports stated that natural products and their derived compounds exhibit lesser side effects and improved efficacy than other synthetic counterparts. Physostigmine, a parasympathomimetic plant alkaloid isolated from the West African perennial shrub Physostigma venenosum, it shows a narrow therapeutic index and a short life span, despite its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It is a widely known reversible butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor and has been documented to treat various ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacologically, physostigmine was first reported as an antidote for atropine scopolamine and belladonna alkaloids toxicity. Recently, it has been documented as a therapy for treating several ailments including glaucoma, myasthenia gravis and the intoxication caused by tricyclic antidepressant overdoses, anti-histamines, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines. Physostigmine has been reported to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and showed short half-life, as, after the oral administration of 2 mg of physostigmine salicylate, the peak plasma concentration reached to 30 minutes. This review examines the biological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of physostigmine extracted from P. venenosum. Keywords: Physostigma venenosum, Physostigmine, pharmacological activities, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor

Serum Levels of Copper, Ceruloplasmin and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme among Silicotic and Non-Silicotic Workers

BACKGROUND: Silicosis is the most frequently occurring pneumoconiosis.AIM: Measurement of serum levels of Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), Copper (Cu) and Ceruloplasmin (Cp) in cement workers occupationally exposed to silica dust as biomarkers of exposure rather than biomarkers of effect for silicosis.METHODS: Plain chest X-ray & pulmonary functions were done for 30 silicotic and 42 non-silicotic workers and 42 controls. CT scan was done for the exposed groups. Serum levels of Cu, Cp and ACE were estimated.RESULTS: The results showed a higher significant difference between the exposed groups and controls, and between the two exposed groups regarding the mean levels of all measured biochemical parameters. The pulmonary functions were significantly lower among silicotic workers than controls and non-silicotic groups. There was a significant positive correlation between duration of employment and serum ACE and Cu.CONCLUSION: Since respirable dust exposure-linked lung fibrosis disease is non-curable, the biochemical parameters (Cu, ACE and Cp) can be used as exposure biomarkers to silica dust, providing a better way for early diagnosis of this deadly disease. Down regulating the inflammatory responses could potentially reduce the adverse clinical pulmonary effects of air pollution

Health Promotion and Social Support of Jordanian Adolescents During COVID-19 Pandemic

  Abstract Background: During the COVID 19 pandemic, new polices were established to decrease the transmission of infection. These changes in polices might have an impact on health promoting activities and social support among adolescents. Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the levels of health promoting activities and the impact of social support among adolescents. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional design was applied to collect data from 298 Jordanian adolescents. Results: Females reported a significantly higher mean score than males in total AHPS, peer support, health responsibility, life appreciation, and stress management. Males’ adolescents scored a significantly higher in physical activity average. The developmental stage of adolescents had an impact on the health promoting activities. Conclusion: Differences in health promoting activities based on adolescents’ gender is an area that need more investigation. Because of the importance of social support, family and social support must be improved. Implication for Nursing: The differences in performing health promoting activities based on adolescents’ gender are areas that need more attention. fostering social support from family and peers is crucial. It is mandatory to activate the role of the community health nurse as soon as possible. Keywords: Adolescents health; health promotion, peer support, family support &nbsp

Beliefs about illness and treatment decision modelling during ill-health in Arabic families

Background: The use of self-prescribed antibiotics and other unproven herbal remedies is common in the Arab world. Understanding how family members decide to manage illness is an important priority for health care providers. Purpose: This paper presents a new model that can be viewed as an extension to the Health Belief Model and help clarifies the cognitive processes families use to manage illness in an Arab family in Jordan. It aims to generate an understanding of family beliefs about the causes of illness and appraisal of how best to manage illness in an Arab family. Methods: A qualitative approach using a family interview method was used to collect data. Twenty-five families participated in semi-structured interviews designed to elicit representational models of illness and treatment-decisions. Results: Thematic analysis revealed two forms of intertwined beliefs: core beliefs (fatalistic) and secondary beliefs (biomedical, supernatural and situational beliefs). Four key elements were identified as underpinning the involvement of family in treatment decision: perceived threat of illness, efficacy of treatment option, cost or availability and family prior experience. Conclusion: An understanding of the health belief model and related cognitive appraisal processes used by families may assist health care providers to engage with and overcome some of the social, cultural, and structural variables that could influence how family members decide to manage illness in Jordan

Effect of Occupational Cadmium Exposure on Parathyroid Gland

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is used in many industries. High-level exposure is associated with severe kidney and bone damage.AIM: This study investigates the possible effect of occupational cadmium exposure on parathyroid gland and some minerals in workers.METHODS: Environmental air monitoring of cadmium was done. Serum and urine cadmium levels, kidney function, some minerals, and plasma parathormone were estimated in the studied groups. RESULTS: The exposed workers had significantly higher Cd concentration in serum and urine than controls. The mean levels of plasma parathyroid hormone, serum phosphorus and magnesium were significantly lower among the exposed group. However, the mean levels of serum creatinine and calcium were significantly higher in the same group when compared to referents. There was a significant positive correlation between Cd concentration in the serum and urine for the exposed group. The biological Cd exposure indices correlated positively with serum calcium and negatively with plasma PTH level. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, bone ache, joint pain and muscle spasm were more prevalent among the exposed workers compared with the controls with odds ratio 4.316, 3.053 and 3.103 respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Occupational cadmium exposure has an adverse effect on PTH level and serum human minerals

Hormonal Perturbations in Occupationally Exposed Nickel Workers

BACKGROUND: Nickel exposure is recognized as an endocrine disruptor because of its adverse effects on reproduction.AIM: This study was designed to investigate the possible testiculo-hormonal perturbations on workers occupationally exposed to nickel and to assess its effects on human male sexual function. METHODS: Cross-sectional comparative study, comprising 105 electroplating male non-smoker, non-alcoholic workers exposed to soluble nickel and 60 controls was done. Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone levels and urinary nickel concentrations were determined for the studied groups. RESULTS: Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, urinary nickel and the simultaneous incidence of more than one sexual disorder were significantly higher in the exposed workers compared to controls. The occurrence of various types of sexual disorders (decreased libido, impotence and premature ejaculation) in the exposed workers was 9.5, 5.1 and 4.4 folds respectively than the controls.CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to nickel produces possible testiculo-hormonal perturbations in those exposed workers