Survey of External Protozoa Parasite of Siganus Rivulatus in Red Sea State of Sudan. World's

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to survey the external protozoa parasites in Siganus rivulatus in the Red sea state. 51 samples of fish were examined. The fish was selected from two different area in the port sudan, 21 samples collected from Dongnab and 30 samples collected from Alsegala from February to march 2010. This study was conducted in Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Science and Technology of Animal Production, Department Fishers Science and Wildlife in the laporatory of fishes. The study revealed of different types of protozoa these include Trichodinia, chilodonella, Ichthyophirius and Ichthyobodo recovered in Siganus rivulatus.The protozoa parasites had high prevalence in Alsegala (90% in skin, 56.6% in gill) than Dongnab (57.1% in gill and skin), and the density of protozoa parasites (1.5 in Alsegala and 1 in Dongnab) it is high in skin than gill. Trichodinia recorded highest infection in Siganus rivulatus in this study more than other ectoprotozoa. There is no any relationship between number of parasites and health state of fish

Clinical Profile of Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Essential Tremor: Impact on Quality of Life and Age-Related Differences

Background: Identifying the clinical phenotypes of non-motor symptoms (NMSs) of essential tremor (ET) among different populations is necessary due to their impact on the quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to investigate the clinical phenotype and impact of NMSs on QoL in Egyptian patients with ET. Methods: Thirty ET patients were compared to 30 matched controls. Subjects were evaluated by the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale, Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire. Both groups were divided into two subgroups of younger (45 years, 16 patients) groups, to investigate age-related differences. Results: ET patients showed significantly worse cognition, depression, anxiety, sleep and NMSS domains (p < 0.001), compared to controls, that negatively affected and predicted QoL. Older patients had more cognitive impairment (p = 0.003) and worse sleep/fatigue (p = 0.032) and sexual functions (p = 0.006), compared to younger group. Discussion: The study supports that NMSs are integral part of ET, negatively affect QoL, and similarly affect younger and older patients. Therefore, NMSs should be explored for proper care of ET patients

Oxidative Stress and Anti-Oxidant Markers in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) caused by decreased surfactant and structural lung immaturity. The imbalance between oxidative status and antioxidant defence system was suggested to be an important trigger for lung affection with RDS. AIM: The goal of the current research was to elucidate the significance of the oxidant/ antioxidant status in the pathogenesis of RDS in preterm infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This controlled study included 31 preterm neonates with RDS and 36 healthy preterm neonates. Quantification level of oxidative stress biomarkers; malondialdehyde (MDA) &amp; hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) along with antioxidant enzymes activity; catalase (CAT) &amp; superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma of healthy premature neonates compared with those with RDS. RESULTS: status of oxidative stress markers (MDA &amp; H2O2) showed a significant increase with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT &amp; SOD) in neonates with RDS when compared to healthy prematures. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicate that the increased oxidative stress accompanied by reduced antioxidant defences may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress in preterm newborns

Primary Wound Closure Versus Delayed Primary Wound Closure in Complicated Appendicitis in Tikrit Teaching Hospital

Background: Two methods are used routinely for wound management following an appendectomy: delayed primary closure, which involves packing an open wound for 4-5 days followed by wound closure, and primary closure, which means closing the wound at the time of surgery. Primary closure has the potential benefit of rapid wound healing associated with the elimination of painful and time-consuming dressing, as well as a reduction in overall hospital costs.                                                                                                                                Objective: To compare the incidence of wound infection after primary wound closure and delayed primary closure in patients with complicated appendicitis. Patients and Methods: A total of 78 patients with complicated appendicitis (gangrenous, perforated, and abscess) admitted to surgical wards in Tikrit Teaching Hospital for a period of 12 months (January 2013 to January 2014). Males were 45 and females were 33, their ages ranged from 17-55 years were included in the study. The patients were adult males and non-pregnant adult females whom underwent appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.              Results: Age and gender were not significant factors affecting wound closure type (p=0.772 and p=0.942 respectively). The mean period of symptoms duration in patients with delayed primary closure was significantly (p=0.037) longer (5.9±3.11 days), than that with primary closure (2.81±2.07 days). Duration of surgery was significantly (p=0.021) longer (37.98±6.7 minutes) for delayed primary closure, than for primary closure (22.71±8.11 minutes). The mean duration of stay per hospital was significantly (p=0.030) shorter (6.84±1.71 days) for delayed primary closure than for primary closure (8.7±0.94 days).                                             Conclusion: A better overall results related to the strategy of delayed primary closure despite the relative longer time of surgery and greater efforts done by the surgeon. This will give benefits to both the patient and surgeon.                                                                                    

Are 'Village Doctors' in Bangladesh a curse or a blessing?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bangladesh is one of the health workforce crisis countries in the world. In the face of an acute shortage of trained professionals, ensuring healthcare for a population of 150 million remains a major challenge for the nation. To understand the issues related to shortage of health workforce and healthcare provision, this paper investigates the role of various healthcare providers in provision of health services in Chakaria, a remote rural area in Bangladesh.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were collected through a survey carried out during February 2007 among 1,000 randomly selected households from 8 unions of Chakaria <it>Upazila</it>. Information on health-seeking behaviour was collected from 1 randomly chosen member of a household from those who fell sick during 14 days preceding the survey.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Around 44% of the villagers suffered from an illness during 14 days preceding the survey and of them 47% sought treatment for their ailment. 65% patients consulted Village Doctors and for 67% patients Village Doctors were the first line of care. Consultation with MBBS doctors was low at 14%. Given the morbidity level observed during the survey it was calculated that 250 physicians would be needed in Chakaria if the patients were to be attended by a qualified physician.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>With the current shortage of physicians and level of production in the country it was asserted that it is very unlikely for Bangladesh to have adequate number of physicians in the near future. Thus, making use of existing healthcare providers, such as Village Doctors, could be considered a realistic option in dealing with the prevailing crisis.</p

Spatial rigid-multi-body systems with lubricated spherical clearance joints : modeling and simulation

The dynamic modeling and simulation of spatial rigid-multi-body systems with lubricated spherical joints is the main purpose of the present work. This issue is of paramount importance in the analysis and design of realistic multibody mechanical systems undergoing spatial motion. When the spherical clearance joint is modeled as dry contact; i.e., when there is no lubricant between the mechanical elements which constitute the joint, a body-to-body (typically metal-to-metal) contact takes place. The joint reaction forces in this case are evaluated through a Hertzian-based contact law. A hysteretic damping factor is included in the dry contact force model to account for the energy dissipation during the contact process. The presence of a fluid lubricant avoids the direct metal-to-metal contact. In this situation, the squeeze film action, due to the relative approaching motion between the mechanical joint elements, is considered utilizing the lubrication theory associated with the spherical bearings. In both cases, the intra-joint reaction forces are evaluated as functions of the geometrical, kinematical and physical characteristics of the spherical joint. These forces are then incorporated into a standard formulation of the system’s governing equations of motion as generalized external forces. A spatial four bar mechanism that includes a spherical clearance joint is considered here as example. The computational simulations are carried out with and without the fluid lubricant, and the results are compared with those obtained when the system is modeled with perfect joints only. From the general results it is observed that the system’s performance with lubricant effect presents fewer peaks in the kinematic and dynamic outputs, when compared with those from the dry contact joint model.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Assessing the carcinogenic potential of low-dose exposures to chemical mixtures in the environment: the challenge ahead.

Lifestyle factors are responsible for a considerable portion of cancer incidence worldwide, but credible estimates from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) suggest that the fraction of cancers attributable to toxic environmental exposures is between 7% and 19%. To explore the hypothesis that low-dose exposures to mixtures of chemicals in the environment may be combining to contribute to environmental carcinogenesis, we reviewed 11 hallmark phenotypes of cancer, multiple priority target sites for disruption in each area and prototypical chemical disruptors for all targets, this included dose-response characterizations, evidence of low-dose effects and cross-hallmark effects for all targets and chemicals. In total, 85 examples of chemicals were reviewed for actions on key pathways/mechanisms related to carcinogenesis. Only 15% (13/85) were found to have evidence of a dose-response threshold, whereas 59% (50/85) exerted low-dose effects. No dose-response information was found for the remaining 26% (22/85). Our analysis suggests that the cumulative effects of individual (non-carcinogenic) chemicals acting on different pathways, and a variety of related systems, organs, tissues and cells could plausibly conspire to produce carcinogenic synergies. Additional basic research on carcinogenesis and research focused on low-dose effects of chemical mixtures needs to be rigorously pursued before the merits of this hypothesis can be further advanced. However, the structure of the World Health Organization International Programme on Chemical Safety 'Mode of Action' framework should be revisited as it has inherent weaknesses that are not fully aligned with our current understanding of cancer biology

Virological and clinical characteristics of hepatitis delta virus in South Asia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background & Aims</p> <p>There is a paucity of data on the impact of hepatitis D virus (HDV) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from South Asia. We studied the impact of HDV co-infection on virological and clinical characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We collected data of 480 patients with HBsAg positive and a detectable HBV DNA PCR, who presented to the Aga Khan University, Karachi and Isra University in Hyderabad, Pakistan in the last 5 years. HDV co-infection was diagnosed on the basis of anti-HDV. ALT, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBV DNA PCR quantitative levels were checked in all patients. We divided all patients into two groups based on anti-HDV, and compared their biochemical, serological & virological labs and clinical spectrum. Clinical spectrum of disease included asymptomatic carrier (AC), chronic active hepatitis (CAH), immuno-tolerant phase (IP), and compensated cirrhosis (CC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HDV co-infection was found in 169 (35.2%). There were 164 (34.6%) HBeAg positive and 316 (65.4%) HBeAg negative patients. Mean ALT level was 66 ± 73 IU. 233 (48.5%) had raised ALT. HBV DNA level was ≥ 10e5 in 103(21.5%) patients. Overall, among HBV/HDV co-infection, 146/169 (86.4%) had suppressed HBV DNA PCR as compared to 231/311 (74.3%) patients with HBV mono-infection; p-value = 0.002. Among HBeAg negative patients 71/128(55.5%) had raised ALT levels among HBV/HDV co-infection as compared to 71/188 (37.8%) with HBV mono-infection (p-value = 0.002); levels of HBV DNA were equal in two groups; there were 27/128 (21%) patients with CC among HBV/HDV co-infection as compared to 23 (12%) in HBV mono-infection (p-value = 0.009); there were less AC (p-value = 0.009) and more CAH (p-value = 0.009) among HBV/HDV co-infection patients. Among HBeAg positive patients, serum ALT, HBV DNA levels and the spectrum of HBV were similar in the two groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HBV/HDV co-infection results in the suppression of HBV DNA. A fair proportion of HBV/HDV co-infected patients with HBeAg negative have active hepatitis B infection and cirrhosis as compared to those with mono-infection.</p