Endovenous Laser Ablation, Radiofrequency Ablation and Flebogrif versus Conventional Surgery in Treatment of Primary Varicose Vein of the Lower Limb: Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) of primary varicose vein are thought to minimise postoperative morbidity and reduce work loss compared with the conventional surgical procedure. Objective: To determine, whether endovenous ablation methods (radiofrequency, laser and mechanochemical) have any advantages or disadvantages in comparison with conventional surgery, in the treatment of primary varicose vein. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective randomized study, conducted on forty patients presented at Vascular Outpatient Clinic for management of chronic venous insufficiency. All patients underwent clinical examination and duplex ultrasonography. Ten (10) patients were treated with ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV). Ten (10) patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation. Ten (10) patients were treated with endovenous laser ablation. Ten (10) patients were treated with Flebogrif. Results: Compared with conventional surgery, endovenous ablation methods reduced postoperative discomfort and pain, with a lower complication rate after treatment for avoidance of a groin incision and dissection at the saphenofemoral confluence. Cosmetic demands were also better satisfied. Non-controlled clinical trials have shown that the ablation rate of GSV after EVLA is over 90%. However, risks of EVLA, RFA and Flebogrif remain in terms of recanalization and neoreflux via junctional tributaries. Conclusion: RFA, EVLA, and Flebogrif are minimally invasive procedures. Their potential early benefits, by avoiding groin dissection and GSV stripping, have been confirmed by the findings from this trial. Current evidence based on randomized trials consistently demonstrates significant early benefits after RFA, EVLA and Flebogrif in suitable patients with varicose veins

Lymphocyte apoptosis in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background: Beta cell apoptosis has been associated with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) onset in newly diagnosed diabetic patients. There is an emerging evidence that T cell-induced apoptosis is a dominant effector mechanism in diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1). Pancreatic β-cells derived from newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics were found to have increased cell surface expression of Fas (CD95) compared to β-cells from healthy subjects. Objective: The study investigates the spontaneous lymphocyte apoptosis via CD95 molecule expression to demonstrate activation induced cell death in children with high risk of DM1 and in type 1 diabetics under insulin therapy. Methods: This study comprised 90 children and adolescents, divided into 3 groups. G(1) comprised 40 type-1 diabetics, their ages ranging from 8.0 to 17.0 years and disease duration between 2.0 and 12.0 years. G(2) (prediabetics) included 30 euglycaemic subjects who were first degree relatives of type 1 diabetics, with normal fasting blood glucose and positive first phase insulin release (FPIR) and/or positive islet cell (ICA) or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. G(3) comprised 20 healthy, age and sex matched subjects with no clinical or laboratory signs or family history of type-1DM. Patients were subjected to clinical evaluation with special emphasis on signs suggestive of microvascular complications. The study measurements included random blood sugar (RBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urinary microalbumin assay and flow cytometric assessment of apoptosis by measuring CD95 percentage expression on CD3 lymphocytes. Results: The percentage of CD95 positive T-lymphocytes was significantly higher in prediabetics than in type-1 diabetics and controls (57.687±6.68, 45.01±6.648,16.75±4.98% respectively; p < 0.001). CD3 positive lymphocytes were significantly lower in prediabetics than type-1 diabetics and controls (52.93±11.64, 66.23±7.04, 63.910±3.4% respectively; p < 0.001). The percentage of CD95 on T-lymphocytes could not be correlated with age, insulin dose and RBS, but HbA1c was positively correlated with both CD3 lymphocytes and CD95% expression. Complicated type-1 diabetics showed higher CD95% expression compared to noncomplicated patients. Conclusion: Peripheral blood lymphocytes with CD95 antigen expression are increased in prediabetics. As CD95 is an important receptor for activation-induced cell death, CD95 mediated apoptosis could play a potential role in the pathogenesis of DM1.Keywords: lymphocyte apoptosis; CD95 system; type 1 DM; prediabetesEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2008; 6(2): 57-6

Use of Foley\u27s catheter balloon tamponade to control placental site bleeding resulting from major placenta previa during cesarean section

Aim: To evaluate the effect of 2-way Foley\u27s catheter balloon tamponade on controlling immediate postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in cases of major placenta previa during cesarean section (CS). Methods: We evaluated women with placenta previa from May to November 2015. Women with immediate PPH during CS due to major placenta previa were managed by 2-way Foley\u27s catheter balloon tamponade when medical treatment failed, and before any surgical intervention. Results: Twenty patients, had major placenta previa, were delivered by elective CS and complicated by immediate PPH. Three placenta accreta patients (15%) underwent hysterectomy, 17 (85%) were managed by the 2-way Foley\u27s catheter balloon tamponade. In two patients, Foley\u27s catheter balloon failed to control bleeding and hysterectomy was done immediately. However, Foley\u27s catheter balloon successfully treated the remaining 15 patients. The median bleeding during the operation was 1522.5 (± 619.29) ml. None of them presented complications related to this procedure or required any further invasive surgery. Conclusion: The 2-way Foley\u27s catheter tamponade could be an option to control immediate postpartum hemorrhage resulting from major placenta previa during the cesarean section. This method is simple, cheap, nearly non-invasive and should be considered to reduce the risk of peripartum hysterectomy

The Effect Of Graphene On Catalytic Performance Of Palladium Nanoparticles Decorated With Fe3O4, Co3O4, And Ni (OH)2: Potential Efficient Catalysts Used For Suzuki Cross—Coupling

Abstract: In this research, we report a scientific investigation of an efficient method used for the synthesis of highly active Palladium Nanoparticles decorated with Fe3O4, Co3O4, and Ni (OH)2 Supported on Graphene as Potential Efficient Catalysts for Suzuki Cross—Coupling. Pd/Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported on graphene nanosheets (Pd/Fe3O4/G) showed an excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki coupling reactions and recycled for up to four times without loss of catalytic activity. An efficient magnetic catalyst has been successfully synthesized using a simple, reproducible fast and reliable method using microwave irradiation conditions. The prepared catalysts are magnetic as in case of iron and cobalt oxides which is an advantage in the separation process of catalyst from the reaction medium via applying a strong external magnetic field. The synthesis approach is based on the Microwave (MW)-assisted simultaneous reduction of palladium and ferric nitrates in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets using hydrazine hydrate as the reducing agent. The results provide a fundamental understanding of the system variables by comparing the catalytic activity and recyclability of different catalysts with different properties. The most active and recyclable catalyst was Pd–Fe3O4—supported on graphene which offers several added advantages including recyclability of up to seven times, mild reaction conditions, and short reaction times in an environmentally benign solvent system. Furthermore, the magnetic properties imparted by the Fe3O4 component of the catalyst enables the catalyst to be easily isolated and recycled, thus greatly simplifying the ability to purify the reaction products and increasing the economic value of the catalyst. The utility of these magnetic catalysts towards Suzuki cross coupling reaction was also demonstrated. The high activity and recyclability of these catalysts are attributed to a strong catalyst-support interaction where the defect sites in the reduced GO nanosheets act as nucleation centers for anchoring the Pd and Fe3O4 nanoparticles thus minimizing the potential of their agglomeration and the subsequent decrease in the catalytic activity. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

QUANTITATIVE POLLEN ANALYSIS OF BEE HONEY AT CERTAIN APIARIES IN QALYUBIA GOVERNORATE AND AVAILABLE HONEY IN LOCAL MARKET, EGYPT

A new proposal method for quantitative pollen analysis of pollen grains in each gram of bee honey was described, using aNeubauer improved chamber for leucocytes and erythrocytes counting. The study was conducted at the Bee Research Unit, Dept. of plant protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra El-kheimah, Al Qalyubia, Egypt on 36 samples of citrus and clover honeys. 18 samples were collected from 5 apiaries under study in Qalyubia Governorate; Kanater, Shalakan, Tookh, Khankah and Shoubra El kheimah and 18 samples were collected from local market in 5 Governorates in Egypt; Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, Gharbia and Sharqia, during their seasons of production in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The results showed that 2.8 % of the samples were poor in their content of pollen grains (2000-10000 pollen grains /g honey), 77.8 % of the samples were rich in their content of pollen grains (10000-50000 pollen grains /g honey), 11.1% of the samples were more rich in their content of pollen grain (50000 -100000 pollen grains /g honey) and 8.3% of the samples were very rich in their content of pollen grain (>100000 pollen grains /g honey)

The unexpected presence of a huge cystic hygroma with thanatophoric dysplasia type I: a case report

Introduction: The presence of a thin-walled, multicystic structure posterior to the fetal head and neck with an intact vertebral column is known as a cystic hygroma. Thanatophoric dysplasia is the most lethal skeletal dysplasia. Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is an autosomal dominant disorder with two phenotypes. TD type I is characterized by a normal shaped skull with bowed femurs and micromelia, while TD type II is characterized by straight femurs with a clover-leaf deformity of the skull and micromelia. We report here a case of thanatophoric dysplasia type I associated with cystic hygroma, this association needs further evaluation. Case history: A 30 year old woman was referred at 26 weeks of gestation because of marked polyhydramnios. Ultrasonographic examination of the fetus revealed a narrow chest, protuberant abdomen, short curved femur, normal shaped skull with accidentally cystic hygroma were present. No other anomalies were detected. We explained to the patient the nature and severity of the anomaly and the patient preferred the termination of pregnancy. Induction of abortion was done successfully. Conclusion: This case report has highlighted the association between cystic hygroma and thanatophoric dysplasia type I. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature reporting the association of cystic hygroma and thanatophoric dysplasia type I. We believe that this case is useful for obstetricians and pediatricians. We also highly recommend the genetic evaluation of the fetus and parents

Undiagnosed endometrial abnormalities in women with normal hysterosalpingography scheduled for IVF: prospective evaluation of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound versus office hysteroscopy

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D-US) to office hysteroscopy (OH) in the screening of uterine cavity with normal hysterosalpingography (HSG) findings for subtle endometrial abnormalities before in vitro-fertilization (IVF). Methods: A prospective cohort cost-modeling study was carried out in a University hospital. We included 120 infertile women with a normal uterine cavity on HSG scheduled for IVF. All cases were evaluated by 3D-US, and the results were compared with OH findings. Results: OH revealed cavitary endometrial lesions (CLs) in thirty-four women (28.3%). Endometrial polyps were the most common detected lesions (16, 47.1%). 3D-US had 88.2% sensitivity, 96.5% specificity, 90.9% positive predictive value, 95.4% negative predictive value, and 94.2% overall accuracy for CLs. The overall agreement between 3D-US and OH was near-perfect (κ=0.86, 95% CI=0.75-0.96). Irregular menstrual bleeds and prior endometrial procedures were significant predictors for CLs (aOR=24.96, 95% CI=2.71–230.04, P=0.005, aOR=9.16, 95% CI=2.13–39.3, P=0.002, respectively). A selective screening strategy discerning OH to women with these predictors and/or women with abnormal 2D-US would have an NPV of 92.8 % with substantial cost benefits. Conclusions: In the pre-IVF work up, 3D-US, a non-invasive imaging modality, seems to be nearly comparable to OH. Office hysteroscopy screening prioritizing women with abnormal 2D-US, irregular menstrual periods and/or prior endometrial traumatization could yield a satisfactory cost-effective approach for identifying endometrial lesions

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of N1-Methyl-2-(1H-1,2,3-Benzotriazol-1-y1)-3-Oxobutan- ethioamide Complexes with Some Divalent Metal (II) Ions

A new series of Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ complexes of N1-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,3-benzotriazol-1-yl)-3-oxobutanethioamide (MBOBT), HL, has been synthesized and characterized by different spectral and magnetic measurements and elemental analysis. IR spectral data indicates that (MBOBT) exists only in the thione form in the solid state while 13C NMR spectrum indicates its existence in thione and thiole tautomeric forms. The IR spectra of all complexes indicate that (MBOBT) acts as a monobasic bidentate ligand coordinating to the metal(II) ions via the keto-oxygen and thiolato-sulphur atoms. The electronic spectral studies showed that (MBOBT) bonded to all metal ions through sulphur and nitrogen atoms based on the positions and intensity of their charge transfer bands. Furthermore, the spectra reflect four coordinate tetrahedral zinc(II), tetragonally distorted copper(II), square planar nickel(II), and cobalt(II) complexes. Thermal decomposition study of the complexes was monitored by TG and DTG analyses under N2 atmosphere. The decomposition course and steps were analyzed and the activation parameters of the nonisothermal decomposition are determined. The isolated metal chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activities and the findings have been reported and discussed in relation to their structures

Dual solutions and stability analysis of a hybrid nanofluid over a stretching/shrinking sheet executing MHD flow

In this paper, the unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of hybrid nanofluid (HNF) composed of Cu−Al2O3 /water in the presence of a thermal radiation effect over the stretching/shrinking sheet is investigated. Using similarity transformation, the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which are then solved by using a shooting method. In order to validate the obtained numerical results, the comparison of the results with the published literature is made numerically as well as graphically and is found in good agreements. In addition, the effects of many emerging physical governing parameters on the profiles of velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, and heat transfer rate are demonstrated graphically and are elucidated theoretically. Based on the numerical results, dual solutions exist in a specific range of magnetic, suction, and unsteadiness parameters. It was also found that the values of f′′(0) rise in the first solution and reduce in the second solution when the solid volume fraction ϕCu is increased. Finally, the temporal stability analysis of the solutions is conducted, and it is concluded that only the first solution is stable