Changes in left atrial deformation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Evaluation by vector velocity imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) represents a generalized myopathic process affecting both ventricular and atrial myocardium. We assessed the global and regional left atrial (LA) function and its relation to left ventricular (LV) mechanics and clinical status in patients with HCM using Vector Velocity Imaging (VVI). METHODS: VVI of the LA and LV was acquired from apical four- and two-chamber views of 108 HCM patients (age 40 ± 19years, 56.5% men) and 33 healthy subjects, all had normal LV systolic function. The LA subendocardium was traced to obtain atrial volumes, ejection fraction, velocities, and strain (ϵ)/strain rate (SR) measurements. RESULTS: Left atrial reservoir (ϵsys,SRsys) and conduit (early diastolic SRe) function were significantly reduced in HCM compared to controls (P  - 1.8s(- 1) was 81% sensitive and 30% specific, SRa> - 1.5s(- 1) was 73% sensitive and 40% specific. By multivariate analysis global LVϵsys and LV septal thickness are independent predictors for LAϵsys, while end systolic diameter is the only independent predictor for SRsys, P < .001. CONCLUSION: Left atrial reservoir and conduit function as measured by VVI were significantly impaired while contractile function was preserved among HCM patients. Left atrial deformation was greatly influenced by LV mechanics and correlated to severity of phenotype

Foreign national prisoners in the UK: explanations and implications

This article examines the rapid expansion of the foreign national prison population in the UK against a backdrop of public and political anxiety about immigration and crime. It explores official data considering some of the possible explanations for the growth in the number of foreign national prisoners and the implications this has for penal management. Whilst increases in both the number of foreign nationals entering the UK and the number of foreign nationals in UK prisons has strengthened the association between immigration and crime in the public imagination, there is little empirical evidence to suggest that foreign nationals are more dangerous than British nationals. Instead, the growth of the foreign national prison population appears to stem from a number of sources that may operate alone or in tandem

Nutrient Retention and Haematological Indices of Broiler Starters Fed Lablab Seed Meal as the Source of Protein

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of feeding diets containing lablab seed meal (LSM) to replace groundnut cake (GNC) or full fat soya (FFS) as the major source of protein on nutrient retention and haematological parameters of broilers at the starter phase. Apparent crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract retentions (%) were highest (P0.05) between those fed LSM and FFS diets, but significantly lower (

Effects of pollution on marine crustaceans in Qatari waters : a baseline survey and a case study on genotoxicity indicators in an endemic shrimp

In this thesis the baseline and seasonal variations of the trace metals (TM) (Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Vanadium (V) and Zinc (Zn). Methylmercury (CH3Hg), organotins (OT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) concentrations were investigated within the tissue of three selected marine organisms together with sediment and water. The first round of sampling was carried out in September, November and December 2014. Samples were then collected in May and June 2015, and finally in July 2016. The species used for the research are all indigenous to Qatari waters and included Portunus pelagicus, the blue swimming crab, a commercially important edible species, Balanus Amphitrite, the striped barnacle, an invasive species that arrived in Qatar on the hulls of merchant ships, and now part of the local fauna. This species is often used as bio-indicator of coastal pollutants. The final selected species is the endemic caridean shrimp, Palaemon khori which inhabits the Avicenna marina mangrove forest at Al-Khor, Qatar. The order of the heavy metal concentrations for the three species was Zn > Cu > As > Fe > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cd > Co > Ni > V for P. pelagicus, Zn > Fe > Cu > As > Cd > Mn > Ni > Cr > V > Pb > Co for B. Amphitrite and Zn ˃ Cu > Fe ˃ Mn > Ni ˃ Pb > As > Cr > Cd > Co > V for P. khori. Methylmercury was measured in all of the three species averaging 1.25μg/kg throughout. The three organotin monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) were detected in all three species. TBT levels were observed at 0.58ngSng-1, 0.78ngSng-1 and 1.91ngSng-1 for P. segnis, B. Amphitrite and P. khori respectively. The results also revealed that concentrations of the contaminants within water samples were negligible, the majority being below detection limits. However, PCB congeners 2,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,2,4,5,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl were detected in the tissue of P. pelagicus averaging 1.70 μg/kg for the former and 4.56 μg/kg for the latter. Results from the tissue of P. khori ranged from 1.5μg/kg - 2μg/kg and 4.28μg/kg – 5.21μg/kg respectively. Seasonal variation studies showed fluctuating degrees of variability among pollutants depending on the target species and the pollutant. The results showed an increase in some pollutant concentrations from the winter months through to the summer, while subsequently other pollutants revealed a decrease in concentrations. The direct effect of varying levels and combinations of pollutants (the maximum concentrations of trace metals, OT and MeHg found in the environment according to the literature, and a tenfold increase in those concentrations in an individual setting and in a combined setting) under laboratory controlled conditions on the endemic P. khori was assessed using classical (mortality) and genotoxicological (aneuploidy) endpoints, after 4 and 8 weeks of exposure. Our results showed that with regards to mortality on average the highest mortality was observed in shrimps exposed to TM at x10 of the maximum environmentally observed levels or TM in combination with other pollutants. The pollutant inducing the highest aneuploidy levels were trace metals and CH3Hg in combination with OT (both at x10 concentration). The data presented in this study represents the first ever estimated baseline for seasonal variations of contaminants, in both the marine environment and associated animal tissues from the coastal waters of Qatar. The data obtained from the genotoxic investigations are a fundamental part in establishing the first ever record for the karyotype of P. khori, while also providing a genotoxicological overview of the effect of these pollutants on the species at a genetic level

Assessment of yeast supplementation on the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown layers fed high levels of rice bran during growing period

The study assessed the effect of feeding grower pullets with high levels of rice bran supplemented with or without yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on sexual maturity and subsequent laying performance. The treatment groups were: treatment 1, 0% rice bran without yeast, treatment 2, 45% rice bran without yeast, treatment 3, 50% rice bran without yeast treatment 4, 45% rice bran supplemented with yeast and treatment 5, 50% rice bran supplemented with yeast. These diets were fed from the 9th to 20th week of age. Thereafter, a common layer diet was fed to all treatment groups from 20th - 40th week. Results of the study indicated that feeding rice bran at the growing phase did not affect age at point of lay. Indeed the birds fed rice bran diets without yeast reached point of lay earlier than the control group. Similarly, birds on high rice bran + yeast reached peak production earlier than the control group. However, hen-day egg production was higher for the birds fed control diet. It could be concluded therefore that feeding diets containing up to 50% rice bran with or without yeast supplementation during the growing phase did not adversely affect the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown pullets.Keywords: Yeast, rice bran, pullets, eg

Apparent Nutrient Retention and Haematology of Shika Brown Pullet Chicks Fed Three Plant Protein Sources

An experiment was carried out to determine apparent nutrient retention and haematological indices of pullet chicks fed three plant protein sources. 243 day old Shika Brown chicks were divided into three treatment groups of 81 chicks subdivided into three replicate groups of 27 chicks. Three experimental diets were formulated to contain groundnut cake (GNC) Full fat soya (FFS) and lablab seed meal (LSM) and fed to the chicks for five weeks (3-8 weeks of age). At the 8th week three chicks per replicate were kept in metabolic cage and fed for faecal sample collection. Feed and faecal samples were weighed, oven dried and analyzed for proximate and mineral composition. Blood samples were collected via wing vein from 1 chick per replicate and stored in EDTA bottles for haematological analysis. Results indicated that retention of dry matter, nitrogen free extract and calcium were similar for chicks fed GNC and FFS but significantly different (P&lt;0.05) from those fed LSM. Crude fibre retention was higher (P&lt;0.05) in chicks fed FFS than those fed GNC and LSM, which were similar. Magnessium and sodium retentions were similar for chicks fed FFS and LSM but significantly different from those fed GNC. Only packed cell volume (PCV) varied significantly between treatment means. Other haematological parameters were similar across treatments and within normal ranges. Nutrients in LSM could be well utilized and safely too as those of GNC and FFS

Evaluation of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen as a novel biomarker for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the world. In Egypt, HCC was reported to account for about 4.7% of chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) has been reported to be strongly expressed in HCC tissue hampering its extensive use in clinical practice. Aim: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum SCCA levels as a serological marker for early detection of HCC among high-risk patients compared to AFP. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of three groups. Group A included 30 patients with CLD diagnosed based on clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographical investigations; group B included 49 patients with HCC diagnostically confirmed by spiral CT, elevated alfafetoprotein (AFP), and/or liver biopsy; and group C, the control group, included 15 healthy subjects matched for age and sex. All groups were subjected to thorough history taking, full clinical examination, and laboratory investigations including liver functions, viral markers, and AFP and SCCA estimation using ELISA technique. Results: This study revealed a highly significant difference between patients with HCC, CLD, and controls regarding serum SCCA levels (5.138 \ub1 7.689, 1.133 \ub1 0.516, and 0.787 \ub1 0.432 ng/ml, respectively). SCCA level was persistently elevated in patients with HCC with normal AFP levels representing its useful role in early detection and follow-up of patients treated for HCC. The area under the curve (AUC) of SCCA was 0.869 (95% CI 0.783-0.929), the cut-off value was established at 1.5 ng/ml with sensitivity of 77.6% and specificity of 84.4%). The difference between AUC of SCCA and that of AFP was 0.09 which mounted statistical significance. Conclusions: SCCA could represent a useful tool as a marker for detection of HCC

Evaluation of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen as a novel biomarker for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the world. In Egypt, HCC was reported to account for about 4.7% of chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) has been reported to be strongly expressed in HCC tissue hampering its extensive use in clinical practice. Aim: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum SCCA levels as a serological marker for early detection of HCC among high-risk patients compared to AFP. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of three groups. Group A included 30 patients with CLD diagnosed based on clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographical investigations; group B included 49 patients with HCC diagnostically confirmed by spiral CT, elevated alfafetoprotein (AFP), and/or liver biopsy; and group C, the control group, included 15 healthy subjects matched for age and sex. All groups were subjected to thorough history taking, full clinical examination, and laboratory investigations including liver functions, viral markers, and AFP and SCCA estimation using ELISA technique. Results: This study revealed a highly significant difference between patients with HCC, CLD, and controls regarding serum SCCA levels (5.138 ± 7.689, 1.133 ± 0.516, and 0.787 ± 0.432 ng/ml, respectively). SCCA level was persistently elevated in patients with HCC with normal AFP levels representing its useful role in early detection and follow-up of patients treated for HCC. The area under the curve (AUC) of SCCA was 0.869 (95% CI 0.783-0.929), the cut-off value was established at 1.5 ng/ml with sensitivity of 77.6% and specificity of 84.4%). The difference between AUC of SCCA and that of AFP was 0.09 which mounted statistical significance. Conclusions: SCCA could represent a useful tool as a marker for detection of HCC

Effect of feeding pattern on the stage of primary dentition eruption in relation to growth parameters

Background: Feeding is a complicated process that involves the coordination of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and oropharyngeal mechanisms, with support from the musculoskeletal and craniofacial systems. The practice of feeding could be correlated with eruption stage and nutritional status in infants. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the relation of feeding patterns to a selected oral variable (stage of the eruption of primary teeth) and growth parameters among clinically healthy infants. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study on a sample of (300) infants aged between 6 and 18 months was performed in Karbala City, Iraq. The feeding pattern was investigated using an information sheet answered by parents. The stage of dental emergence was evaluated through intraoral examination. Growth parameters (height, weight, head circumference) were analyzed. Results: Bottle-fed infants had higher total tooth eruption incidence and nutritional status than the other feeding groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Bottle-fed infants had the highest mean of erupted primary teeth and nutritional status