Prevalence,risk factors and impact of occult HCV infection on liver morbidity among haemodialysis patients: hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives

Haemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk for blood-borne infections as occult HCV infection, which justifies comprehensive studies. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of occult HCV infection (OCI) among HD patients.     

Promoted removal of metformin hydrochloride anti-diabetic drug from water by fabricated and modified nanobiochar from artichoke leaves

Biochars are economic and ecofriendly biosorbents normally prepared from different agricultural or animal wastes with some functional groups that afford strong capability for binding with cationic, anionic or neutral species. In this study, artichoke leaves were subjected to pyrolysis under low oxygen atmosphere to prepare nanobiochar material (Artich-Bch) and additionally modified to load the surface with sodium hydroxide to produce (Artich-Bch-NaOH). The FT-IR of Artich-Bch and Artich-Bch-NaOH confirmed the existence of COOH, OH and CC functional groups. Five and three thermal decomposition steps were observed by Artich-Bch and Artich-Bch-NaOH at the range of (25–800 °C) with weight loss (Total = 81.8%) and (Total = 69.73%), respectively. The performance of biochars for removal of metformin hydrochloride anti-diabetic drug (MFH) from aqueous solution was compared and revealed higher removal results by the modified biochar, Artich-Bch-NaOH. Various operating factors impacted on the elimination of MFH including shaking time, dose of adsorbents, initial concentration of MFH, pH of MFH solution, temperature of medium and interfering ions. Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevitch (D-R) and Temkin were the four applied models of adsorption isotherm for clarifying the elimination process of MFH by Artich-Bch-NaOH. The maximum correlation coefficient (R²) was achieved by Langmuir model (R² = 0.996). The kinetic studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order was the best fit model for explaining the adsorption of (20 mg L^-1 MFH) onto Artich-Bch-NaOH based on the attained R² value as 0.9999. The values and signs of parameters which acquired from the thermodynamics experiments referred the reaction as spontaneous and exothermic.     

Inhibition and recovery of maternal and fetal cholinesterase enzymes following a single oral dose of chlorpyrifos in rats

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (14-18 days of gestation) were treated with a single dose of 50 mg/kg (61% of oral LD50 in female rats) of chlorpyrifos ( 0,0-diethyl- 0-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate) by oral gavage. Animals treated on day 18 of gestation were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 12 h after dosing. Animals treated on days 17, 16, 15, and 14 of gestation were sacrificed at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after dosing, respectively. Maternal and fetal brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities were significantly inhibited 1 h after treatment. Activity of fetal brain AChE and plasma BuChE recovered faster than that of the maternal enzymes. Peak inhibition of maternal spinal cord AChE and BuChE activities occurred 2 h and 1 h after dosing, respectively. Maternal spinal cord BuChE activity was totally recovered by 96 h compared to the partial recovery of spinal cord AChE activity. Maternal liver BuChE activity was significantly decreased within 1 h of dosing. The individual molecular forms (10S and 4S) of maternal and fetal brain AChE and BuChE activities were significantly decreased 1 h after treatment. Recovery of both forms of fetal brain AChE activity was much faster than the maternal forms. Activity of the 10S form of maternal control brain AChE was significantly higher than in the fetus control. The rapid recovery of cholinesterase enzymes in the fetus is attributed to the de novo synthesis of AChE enzymes in the fetus compared to the mother.     

Changes in volume and density of platelets in myocardial infarction

The distributions of platelet volume and density were measured in 15 men suffering myocardial infarction and in 22 healthy controls. The method used separated 93% of the total platelet population from whole blood. Mean platelet volume of the study group compared with that of controls was increased by a mean of 0.98 fl (p less than 0.001) in the first 12 hours after myocardial infarction, and by 1.24 fl six weeks later (p less than 0.001). Distribution of platelet volume remained log normal after myocardial infarction. Modal platelet density was increased by a mean of 25 g/l (p less than 0.05) after myocardial infarction. Platelet volume is probably chronically large in men suffering myocardial infarction and may be related to changes in megakaryocytes. It is suggested that the increase in platelet volume occurs before infarction.     

Platelet volume subpopulations in acute myocardial infarction: an investigation of their homogeneity for smoking, infarct size and site

Mean platelet volume and count were measured in three groups: patients with acute myocardial infarction, a control group with myocardial ischaemia but no infarction and an asymptomatic group of young males. Mean platelet volume was significantly larger in the myocardial infarction group compared with the ischaemic heart disease group or the asymptomatic group. Two subpopulations were present within the myocardial infarction group. One subgroup had a large mean platelet volume and low count. The other subpopulation was indistinguishable, with regard to platelet count and mean volume, from the ischaemic heart disease group. Over 60% of the myocardial infarction group lay in the area of high platelet volume and low count compared with 13% of the ischaemic heart disease control group and 38% of the asymptomatic group. Acute myocardial infarction is likely to be associated with a large mean platelet volume and low count compared with the ischaemic heart disease group. There is no statistical evidence that this condition is related to smoking or size and site of infarct. This evidence suggests that large mean platelet volume and low platelet count could be a major risk factor for myocardial infarction.     

Modification of silica nanoparticles by 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde as new nanocomposites for efficient removal and preconcentration of Cu(ii) and Cd(ii) ions from water,blood, and fish muscles

Herein, silica nanoparticles were modified by 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde to produce new nanocomposites which were abbreviated as N₁ and N₂, respectively. The synthesized nanocomposites were used for efficient removal and preconcentration of Cu(ii) and Cd(ii) ions from water, blood, and fish muscles. FE-SEM, FT-IR, XRD, CHN elemental analysis, and nitrogen gas sorption analyzer were used to characterize the new nanocomposites. The XRD proved that the synthesized oxide is cristobalite with an average crystallite size of 54.80 nm. Due to the formation of the C N group, the intensity of the XRD peak at 2θ = 21.9° in the N₁ and N₂ nanocomposites decreased significantly. The FT-IR bands, which appeared at 1603 and 1629 cm⁻¹ in the N₁ and N₂ nanocomposites, are attributable to the bending vibration of C N and/or OH, respectively. Also, the FE-SEM analysis shows the morphology of the silica nanoparticles which were identified as spherical and rod-like with slight agglomeration while the N₁ and N₂ nanocomposites have flaky surfaces due to the formation of C N groups. The maximum Cu(ii) ion adsorption capacities of the N₁ and N₂ nanocomposites are 64.81 and 40.93 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The maximum Cd(ii) ion adsorption capacities of the N₁ and N₂ nanocomposites are 27.39 and 26.34 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The adsorption of Cu(ii) or Cd(ii) ions using the synthesized nanocomposites is spontaneous, chemical, exothermic, and well-matched with the Langmuir equilibrium isotherm. The recovery findings demonstrate that the preconcentration process is accurate, adaptable, and resulted in quantitative separation because % Recovery is more than 95%. Furthermore, the % RSD was less than 3.5%, indicating good reproducibility.

Herein, silica nanoparticles were modified by 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde to produce new nanocomposites which were abbreviated as N₁ and N₂, respectively.     

Poliomyelitis, measles and neonatal tetanus: a hospital based epidemiological study

Vaccine-preventable diseases constitute a major health problem contributing to the morbidity and mortality in many developing countries including Egypt. WHO adopted resolutions to eradicate poliomyelitis by the year 2000, eliminate neonatal tetanus by the year 1995, and reduce measles mortality by 95% and morbidity by 90%, compared to the pre-immunization levels by 1995. Evaluation of preventive programs for these diseases necessitates availability of up to date information on their occurrence. The present study was undertaken to determine the current epidemiological features of poliomyelitis, neonatal tetanus and measles, to identify the trends of these diseases as well as to determine their outcomes and hospital loads. Data about the admitted cases of poliomyelitis, neonatal tetanus and measles were collected from the hospital register of Alexandria fever hospital for five successive years (1992-96). Available information on age, sex, residence, diagnosis, outcome of treatment, dates of admission and discharge were collected. The total number of cases of the three diseases admitted to the hospital during the period 1992-96 were 1406, measles represented 85.4%, neonatal tetanus 13.9% and poliomyelitis 0.7%. The results revealed that in the year 1994 only one case of poliomyelitis was admitted and since then no other cases were reported. The number of measles cases increased gradually in the latter years and about 78% of them were older than five years of age. A significant increase in the age of measles occurrence was observed. A gradual decline in the number of neonatal tetanus cases was observed. These cases were more apt to occur among early neonates but still clustered in certain geographical areas. The results of the study pinpoint the long term impact of the well run program aiming at eradicating poliomyelitis in Alexandria. However, for elimination of neonatal tetanus and controlling measles morbidity, further activities are required including strengthening the surveillance activities for detection of the high risk geographical areas and the high risk factors.     

Normal saline is a safe initial rehydration fluid in children with diarrhea-related hypernatremia

To demonstrate safety and efficacy of using normal saline (NS) for initial volume expansion (IVE) and rehydration in children with diarrhea-related hypernatremic dehydration (DR-HD), forty eight patients with DR-HD were retrospectively studied. NS was used as needed for IVE and for initial rehydration. Fluid deficit was given over 48 h. Median Na⁺ level on admission was 162.9 mEq/L (IQR 160.8–165.8). The median average hourly drop at 6 and 24 h was 0.53 mEq/L/h (0.48–0.59) and 0.52 mEq/L/h (0.47–0.57), respectively. Compared to children not needing IVE, receiving ≥40 ml/kg IVE was associated with a higher average hourly drop of Na⁺ at 6 h (0.51 vs. 0.58 mEq/L/h, p = 0.013) but not at 24 h (p = 0.663). The three patients (6.3%) with seizures had a higher average hourly drop of Na⁺ at 6 and 24 h (p = 0.084 and 0.021, respectively). Mortality (4/48, 8.3%) was not related to Na⁺ on admission or to its average hourly drop at 6 or 24 h. Children receiving ≥40 ml/kg IVE were more likely to die (OR 3.3; CI, 1.5–7.2). Conclusion: In children with DR-HD, NS is a safe rehydration fluid with a satisfactory rate of Na⁺ drop and relatively low incidence of morbidity and mortality. Judicious use of IVE should be exerted and closer monitoring should be guaranteed for children requiring large volumes for IVE and for those showing rapid initial drop of serum Na⁺ to avoid neurological complications and poor outcome.