Subjective cognitive impairment in patients with transformed migraine and the associated psychological and sleep disturbances

Sleep and Breathing - Migraines are associated with multiple comorbidities like depression, anxiety, poor sleep quality, and subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). This study aimed to evaluate the...     

Alpha heavy chain disease (report of 18 cases from Iraq).

The clinical and pathological features of 18 new patients with alpha heavy chain disease seen at two referral centres in Baghdad, Iraq, are described. The series included 14 males and four females ranging in age from 14 to 47 years. Almost all patients presented because of long-standing abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The tissue diagnosis and extent of the disease were established at laparotomy in most patients. Peroral jejunal biospy was used in a number of patients, mainly for follow-up. The serological abnormality was confirmed by immunoselection technique. Most of the patients had extensive thickening of the bowel wall and/or tumour masses of the small intestine and mesenteric nodes. Histopathological sections showed muscularis. Preliminary results of the treatment, including two long remissions, are reported. In general, our observations agree with those made by other authors, mostly from the Middle East and Africa. We believe that a high index of clinical suspicion, routine use of the immunoselection, and recognition of the early pathological changes may hopefully lead to the detection of more cases before the frank neoplastic phase of the disease.     

New insights in the physicochemical investigation of the vitamin B12 nucleus using statistical physics treatment: interpretation of experiments and surface properties

In this research paper, the equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of cobalt(ii)nitrate and cobalt(ii)chloride on tetrakis(4-tolylphenyl)porphyrin (H₂TTPP) were obtained at four temperatures for modeling analysis. The experimental data describing the adsorbed quantity of cobalt particles were measured using the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) strategy. Then, statistical physics formalism was employed to interpret the complexation mechanism by applying the real gas law that contemplates the interaction between the adsorbate particles in the free state. Advanced models treated with the law of van der Waals were applied for the single and L.B.L adsorptions of Co²⁺ at various temperatures (288–318 K). The experimental adsorption data of CoCl₂ on porphyrins were satisfactorily fitted with the monolayer equation, showing that the chlorine particles had no effect on the complexation system, while the nitrate particles were involved in the adsorption of Co(NO₃)₂ and contributed to the layer formation. The physicochemical parameters of statistical physics models were estimated and used to compare the complexation mechanisms of both adsorbates. The study of the cohesion pressure (a) and the co-volume (b) confirmed that cobalt chloride guaranteed more stability during the formation of the vitamin B₁₂ nucleus. Deeper energetic analysis demonstrated that cobalt ions were complexed by ionic or covalent bonds in the case of cobalt chloride (complexation energy (–E_1/2) varies from −48.2 to −50.3), while a physisorption process took place in the case of cobalt nitrate ((–E₁) varies from −33.6 to −36.1), thus indicating that CoCl₂–H₂TTPP was the most stable complex. The statistical physics models were also used to investigate two thermodynamic functions that govern the adsorption mechanisms, namely, the configurational entropy and the Gibbs free enthalpy.

Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) setup for the measurement of adsorption isotherms of cobalt(ii)nitrate and cobalt(ii)chloride on tetrakis(4-tolylphenyl)porphyrin (H₂TTPP).     

Chronic neck pain and vertigo: Is a true balance disorder present?

ObjectiveWe sought to establish whether chronic neck pain patients suffering from vertigo and instability have true balance disorders.Patients and methodsNinety-two patients having suffered from chronic neck pain for at least 3 months were enrolled in the present study. Patients with a history of neck trauma or ear, nose and throat, ophthalmological or neurological abnormalities were excluded. The patients were evaluated in a clinical examination (neck mobility) and a test of dynamic and static balance on the Satel^® platform in which mediolateral (Long X) and anterior-posterior deviations (Long Y) were monitored. Our patients were divided into three groups: a group of 32 patients with neck pain and vertigo (G1), a group of 30 patients with chronic neck pain but no vertigo (G2) and a group of 30 healthy controls.ResultsAll groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, weight and shoe size. Osteoarthritis was found in 75% and 70% of the subjects in G1 and G2, respectively. Neck-related headache was more frequent in G1 than in G2 (65.5% versus 40%, respectively; p = 0.043). Restricted neck movement was more frequent in G1 and concerned flexion (p < 0.001), extension (p < 0.001), rotation (p < 0.001), right inclination (p < 0.001) and left inclination (p < 0.001). Balance abnormalities were found more frequently in G1 than in G2 or G3. Static and dynamic posturographic assessments (under “eyes open” and “eyes shut” conditions) revealed abnormalities in statokinetic parameters (Long X and Long Y) in G1.ConclusionOur study evidenced abnormal static and dynamic balance parameters in chronic neck pain patients with vertigo. These disorders can be explained by impaired cervical proprioception and neck movement limitations. Headache was more frequent in these patients.     

One year cardiac follow up of young world cup football team compared to nonathletes

IntroductionSudden cardiac death among professional young athletes has become a significant concern mainly attributed to structural heart changes and ECG abnormalities.ObjectivesWe aimed primarily to compare echocardiographic and electrocardiographic changes in young professional athletes versus a control group of sedentary lifestyled nonathletic individuals of the same age group. Secondly, we aimed to follow up echocardiographic and electrocardiographic changes in young professional athletes after one year.MethodsWe conducted the study from May 2008 to May 2009 by clinical examination, transthoraxic echocardiography and 12 lead ECG. Our study group was the national football team candidates for the youth world cup occurring in Cairo 2009. This study group was compared to a control group of randomly picked nonathletic third year medical students after exclusion of anyone with a known medical illness. The study group was classified into Athletes I representing athletes at the beginning of the study and Athletes II representing athletes after one year follow up.ResultsThe Study group comprised 34 males, mean age 18.82 ± 1.56 years while the Control group comprised 28 males, age mean 19.64 ± 2.31 years. There was not a significant difference between the two groups regarding number, age, height or weight (P > 0.05).Athletes I vs controlClinical parameters showed significantly lower Systolic Blood Pressure SBP (athletes 117.79 ± 6.536, control 126.43 ± 17.043, P = 0.008) and Heart Rate HR (athletes 68.88 ± 5.044, control 77.43 ± 6.033, P = 0.001). ECG parameters showed a significantly longer RR interval (athletes 0.88 ± 0.065, control 0.76 ± 0.078, P = 0.001), while Corrected QTc interval was not significantly different (athletes 0.41 ± 0.029, control 0.42 ± 0.022, P > 0.05). Echo parameters showed a significant increase in Ejection fraction EF (athletes 60.94 ± 3.084 vs control 54.14 ± 13.063, P = 0.005) and Left atrial dimension LA (athletes 3.28 ± 0.392 vs control 2.58 ± 1.321, P = 0.005). On the other hand Septal wall in diastole SWD, Right ventricle dimension RV, Left ventricular end systolic dimension LVESD, Left Ventricular End Diastolic Dimension LVEDD, Aortic Root AO, and Posterior wall in diastole PWD were not significantly different (P > 0.05).Athletes II vs controlQTc became significantly longer (athletes 0.43 ± 0.028 vs control 0.42 ± 0.022, P = 0.05). SWD was significantly thicker (athletes 1.21 ± 0.23 vs control 1.07 ± 0.17, P = 0.04). SBP, HR remained significantly lower and RR, EF, LA remained significantly greater (P < 0.05), while RV, LVESD, LVEDD, AO, PWD remained not significantly different both at the beginning and also after 1 year (P > 0.05).Athletes I vs athletes IIECG parameters showed a significant increase in QTc (0.41 ± 0.029 vs 0.43 ± 0.028, P = 0.005) and RR interval (0.81 ± 0.167 vs 0.88 ± 0.065, P = 0.046). Echo parameters showed a significant increase in SWD (1.21 ± 0.232 vs 0.93 ± 0.124, P < 0.001), LA (3.62 ± 0.423 vs 3.28 ± 0.392, P = 0.001), RV (2.37 ± 0.565 vs 2.09 ± 0.234, P = 0.011), PWD (1.00 ± 0.200 vs 0.90 ± 0.200, P = 0.008), and a significant decrease in LVESD (3.19 ± 0.679 vs 3.48 ± 0.190, P = 0.016). Other parameters were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionsProfessional football playing in young males results in significant changes compared to their control of sedentary nonathletic medical students of similar age. Clinical parameters showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure SBP and heart rate HR, ECG parameters showed significant increase in RR interval and QTc interval, and Echocardiographic parameters showed a significant increase in Left atrium diameter LA, Septal wall in diastole SWD, and ejection fraction EF. One year of professional football playing in young males causes a continuing significant increase in ECG parameters QTc, RR interval, and echocardiographic parameters SWD, LA, Right ventricle dimension RV, Posterior wall in diastole PWD and decrease in Left ventricular end systolic diameter LVESD compared to themselves one year earlier. The international concern of Sudden cardiac death among professional young athletes may be attributed to Structural heart changes and ECG abnormalities acquired with professional training.     

Identification of adenoviruses serotypes implicated in haemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Tunisia

Human adenoviruses (ADV) are distributed worldwide; they are associated with a variety of diseases. Some ADV can be implicated in large epidemics of conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis and respiratory infections. Classical diagnosis of ADV infections is based on virus isolation on cell culture and identification of the serotype by neutralization test or hemagglutination inhibition assay. However, these methods have a lack of rapidity that makes them impractical in clinical situations. With the advent of PCR, the diagnosis of ADV was improved. In this work, we have used molecular techniques for the identification of ADV serotypes implicated in conjunctivitis in Tunisia. A total of 199 conjunctival swabs received between October 2000 and May 2005 were investigated. Serotype identification was performed using a PCR followed by restriction enzyme analysis in the hexon gene. Typing by sequencing of the PCR product was used to confirm the serotype identification. Among the 199 tested clinical specimens, 24% were positive for ADV. Two different profiles were observed: one predominant corresponding to the majority of the detected ADV; this profile is in favour of two distinct serotypes, ADV37 or ADV8; the second profile was specific of ADV4 and was found in one case observed in 2005. Sequencing confirmed two serotypes: ADV8 with an endemoepidemically circulation in our country and ADV4 that appeared sporadic. The present work showed the importance of molecular techniques not only for ADV detection but also for identification of the circulating serotypes. These techniques are practical and interesting mainly for the rapid virological investigation during epidemics.     

Physicochemical model of alginate-poly-L-lysine microcapsules defined at the micrometric/nanometric scale using ATR-FTIR, XPS, and ToF-SIMS

Alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules are currently being investigated as a means to immuno-isolate transplanted cells, but their biocompatibility is limited. In this study, we verified the hypothesis that poly-L-lysine (PLL), which is immunogenic when unbound, is exposed at the APA microcapsule surface. To do so, we analysed the microcapsule membrane at the micrometric/nanometric scale using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The results indicate that PLL and alginate molecules interact within the membrane. PLL exists in considerable amounts near the surface, contributing to the majority of the carbon within the outermost 100 Angstroms of the membrane. PLL was also detected at the true surface (the outermost monolayer) of the microcapsules. The exposure of PLL does not appear to result from defects in the outer alginate coating. This physicochemical model of APA microcapsules could explain their immunogenicity and will play an important role in the optimization of the microcapsule design.