Three-dimensional versus two-dimensional ultrasound measurement of follicular volume: are they comparable?

To compare the accuracy of three-dimensional (3-D) versus two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasonography (U/S) in the measurement of follicular volume and identification of cumulus oophorus complex, thirty women were selected. Women who undergoing ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) using the long protocol of GnRH agonist were scanned by 2-D and 3-D ultrasonography before follicular aspiration. The volume of aspirated follicular fluid was compared with corresponding volume measured by 3-D and 2-D ultrasonography. It was found that, the high accuracy of 3-D U/S measurement of follicular volume is demonstrated clearly by limits of agreement which were within 1 ml of the true volume. While, the 2-D U/S produced limits of agreement those were up to 3.5 ml above or 2.5 ml below the true volume. Also, 3-D U/S could identify cumulus oophorus complex in 86% of cases. From this study, it was concluded that 3-D U/S system is more accurate than 2-D U/S in the measurement of the true follicular volume. Also, 3-D U/S is superior to 2-D U/S for identification of cumulus oophorus complex.     

Plasma endothelin-1 concentrations in children with cirrhosis and their relationship to renal function and the severity of portal hypertension

BACKGROUND: Plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide involved in the pathogenesis of several disorders. Endothelin-1 concentrations are increased in adult patients with cirrhosis. However, little is known about ET-1 concentrations in children with cirrhosis. METHODS: Radioimmune assay was used to measure plasma ET-1 concentrations in 19 children with cirrhosis (8 patients with ascites, and 11 without ascites), and 11 age- and sex-matched healthy children. The plasma ET-1 concentrations were correlated with the mean blood pressure, creatinine clearance, and severity of portal hypertension, as measured by portal flow volume and portal flow velocity. RESULTS: Patients with cirrhosis and ascites had increased plasma ET-1 concentrations compared with patients who did not have ascites (6.8 pg/mL +/- 0.62 pg/mL vs. 4.6 pg/mL +/- 0.35 pg/mL; mean +/- SEM; < 0.01) and controls (3.6 pg/mL +/- 0.27 pg/mL; mean +/- SEM; < 0.0005). Plasma ET-1 concentrations were higher in patients with cirrhosis who did not have ascites compared with controls ( < 0.005). No significant differences were observed between concentrations of the patients with cholestasis and those without cholestasis (5.4 pg/mL +/- 0.52 pg/mL vs. 5.2 +/- 0.32 pg/mL; mean +/- SEM; = 0.1). Plasma ET-1 concentrations correlated positively with the mean blood pressure ( = 0.58; < 0.05) and negatively with renal function, as measured by creatinine clearance ( = -0.7; <0.005). However, no correlation was detected between ET-1 concentrations and portal flow volume ( = -0.02; = 0.4) or portal flow velocity ( = -0.16; = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma ET-1 concentrations are increased in children with cirrhosis, with or without ascites, compared with controls. Patients with cirrhosis and ascites have increased ET-1 concentrations compared with those without ascites. The degree of increase does not relate to the severity of portal hypertension. This increase tends to maintain systemic blood pressure but is associated with a decrease in renal function.     

An accurate amperometric glucose sensor based glucometer with eliminated cross-sensitivity

This paper represents an experimental analysis of cross-sensitivity, which is the main problem that usually faces amperometric glucose sensors. The elimination of cross-sensitivity is based on experimental determination and verification of new correction factors. The correction factors obtained were then used to design a new glucometer with cross-sensitivity of the amperomtric glucose sensor to urea concentration in human blood eliminated. The accuracy of this glucometer satisfies the clinical requirements and the results of glucose measurements obtained using this glucometer are highly correlated with the glucose measurements for the same blood samples obtained using the well-known Yellow Springs Instrument glucose analyser.     

Coccidioidomycosis meningitis and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is 1 of the complications that usually follows chemotherapy treatment of myelo-lymphoproliferative diseases. Corticosteroids (CS) could also induce TLS in this type of malignancies. On the other hand, TLS in solid tumors is less frequent, and CS treatment was never reported to be associated with TLS in solid tumor. Here we report the first case of TLS in a solid tumor (melanoma) after CS treatment.     

Impaired protein binding of Chinese medicine DanShen in uremic sera and sera with hyperbilirubinemia: rapid assessment of total and free DanShen concentrations using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay for digoxin

DanShen is a Chinese medicine that is used to treat cardiovascular disorders. DanShen is moderately to strongly protein bound, mainly to albumin. Because impaired protein binding of albumin-bound drugs in uremia has been reported, we studied protein binding of DanShen by measuring the digoxin-like immunoreactive component of this Chinese medicine. We observed a significantly higher percentage of free fraction of DanShen in uremic sera in vitro. Impaired protein binding of DanShen was also observed in sera from patients with liver disease, who had elevated concentrations of bilirubin. Treating uremic sera with activated charcoal significantly improved the protein binding of DanShen, indicating that uremic compounds are responsible for the impaired protein binding of DanShen. On the other hand, when various amounts of bilirubin were added to aliquots of the normal pool supplemented with DanShen, we observed only a modest displacement of DanShen from the protein-binding sites by bilirubin, indicating that hypoalbuminemia may play a major role in impaired protein binding of DanShen in sera with elevated bilirubin concentrations. We conclude that protein binding of DanShen is lower in uremic sera and in sera with elevated bilirubin concentrations.     

Human cowpox infection in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the last few years, outbreaks of an apparently specific dermatosis occurred during the months of late summer and early autumn in our locality. Our aim in this study was to reveal the underlying etiology of this dermatosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with the disease were studied clinically, epidemiologically, histopathologically, and ultrastructurally. RESULTS: The results of all methods suggest that the dermatosis is most probably a human cowpox infection. Electron microscopy showed unenveloped cowpox virons. CONCLUSIONS: This apparently specific dermatosis is due to human cowpox infection. Future investigations will be needed to better define this important zoonosis frequently passed by cats to humans and carried by rodents.     

Prospective comparative study between microsurgical and conventional testicular sperm extraction in non-obstructive azoospermia: follow-up by serial ultrasound examinations

The value of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) by microdissection was evaluated according to its physiological consequences compared with open, classic surgical biopsy in the same patient. A total of 100 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and bilateral identical testicular histology underwent bilateral diagnostic TESE via the conventional method on one side and the microsurgical method on the other side. The spermatozoa recovery rate by microdissection TESE was significantly higher than by conventional TESE (47 and 30% respectively; P < 0.05). In order to assess the safety of this new procedure, 60 patients were followed-up ultrasonographically for 1, 3 and 6 months. Acute and chronic complications were significantly lower in the microsurgical side compared with the conventional side (15 and 58.3% respectively and 3 and 30% respectively; P < 0.05). Segmental devascularization was detected in seven testes operated on conventionally, and in two testes operated on microsurgically. However, permanent devascularization could not be detected in any patient after 6 months. These findings suggest that microdissection TESE is not devoid of complications, but that it is relatively safer than the conventional technique and improves sperm yield significantly in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.     

Assessment of Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity for Some Ornamental and Medicinal Plants Native to Egypt

This study investigated the effects of some plant extracts on the bacterial communication system, expressed as quorum sensing (QS) activity. Quorum sensing has a directly proportional effect on the amount of certain compounds, such as pigments, produced by the bacteria. Alcohol extracts of 23 ornamental and medicinal plants were tested for anti-QS activity by the Chromobacterium violaceum assay using the agar cup diffusion method. The screening revealed the anti-QS activity of six plants; namely the leaves of Adhatoda vasica Nees, Bauhinia purpurea L., Lantana camara L., Myoporum laetum G. Forst.; the fruits of Piper longum L.; and the aerial parts of Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.