223 research outputs found
Duplex ultrasonography as prognostic tool of acute ischemic stroke patients
No full textAbstract Background Cerebral stroke is a major source of mortality and morbidity. Duplex ultrasonography is used to evaluate carotid and cerebral arteries. The objectives of this work are to study the correlation between carotid duplex parameters with risk factors of ischemic stroke and evaluate duplex parameter as prognostic tool of ischemic stroke. Methods The study was conducted on 100 patients presented by acute ischemic stroke submitted to history taking, medical, and neurological examination. Neurological deficit was assessed by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS); the functional state of the patients was assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS). Brain CT and/or MRI, routine laboratory investigations, extracranial, and transcranial duplex (TCD) were done. Results The end diastolic velocities (EDVs) and peak systolic velocities (PSVs) of common carotid arteries (CCA) were significantly decreased in smokers and hypertensive (P<0.05). Smoking and hypertension were positively correlated with resistive index (RI). In 80 patients, PSV in the symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) did not exceed 70 cm/s within averaged 50.7 ± 4.6 cm/s. EDV was 12.0 ± 3.0 cm/s, RI was 0.78 ± 0.05, and pulsativity index (PI) was 1.61 ± 0.09. There was significant difference in all hemodynamic parameters in comparison with the asymptomatic side. Conclusion Patients who have risk factors of stroke should be evaluated with duplex ultrasonography. Duplex parameters can give informative data about prognosis and outcome
Severe hypophosphatemia induced after first cycle of the ESHAP protocol for Hodgkin&#39;s lymphoma: a case report
No full textShereen Elazzazy,1 Hager A El-Geed,2 Sumaya Al Yafei11Pharmacy Department, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, QatarAbstract: The effect of the ESHAP (etoposide, methylprednisolone, cytarabine, cisplatin) salvage protocol on serum electrolytes has been previously reported by individual observational studies. The most commonly described electrolyte affected by the ESHAP protocol is magnesium. In addition, hypophosphatemia has been studied and reported as a complication of cisplatin therapy, although it is usually asymptomatic. This is a case report of a 51-year-old woman with relapsed Hodgkin&#39;s lymphoma who developed severe hypophosphatemia following administration of the first cycle of the ESHAP protocol. The patient started to develop gradually decreasing phosphate levels 2 weeks after receiving chemotherapy, which needed to be corrected by phosphate supplementation. This case report raises concern regarding hypophosphatemia as a possible side effect of the ESHAP protocol and points to a need for close monitoring, taking into consideration vitamin D levels, urinary phosphate excretion, parathyroid hormone levels, and arterial blood gas analysis to rule out other contributing factors. Health care providers should be made aware of this possible toxicity. Critical monitoring of phosphate levels and considering supplementation is warranted with the ESHAP protocol, especially when it is used in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and diuretics, to prevent such possible hypophosphatemia. Further investigations may be required to confirm and evaluate the significance of this type of toxicity.Keywords: hypophosphatemia, ESHAP, salvage protocol, relapsed Hodgkin&#39;s lymphom
Wheezing in infancy
No full textSeveral population-based birth cohort studies documented that 30% of children suffer from wheezing during respiratory infections before their third birthday. Infants are prone to wheeze because of anatomic factors related to the lung and chest wall in addition to immunologic and molecular influences in comparison to older children. Viral infections lead to immunologic derangements that cause wheezing both in immunocompetent and immunodeficient infants. Anatomic causes of wheeze may be extrinsic or intrinsic to the airway. Not every wheeze is indicative of asthma but prediction of asthma in persistent wheezers is possible. Testing for allergy in these infants is worthwhile and can be of significant value in avoidable allergens. Treatment of an infant with wheezing depends on the underlying etiology. Response to bronchodilators is unpredictable and a trial of inhaled steroids may be warranted in a patient who has responded to multiple courses of oral steroids, has moderate to severe wheezing, or a significant history of atopy including food allergy or eczema. Ribavirin administered by aerosol, hyper-immune respiratory syncytial virus immunoglobulin (RSV IVIG), and intramuscular monoclonal antibody to an RSV protein have been used for RSV bronchiolitis in infants with congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease. Keywords: wheeze, viral infection, bronchiolitis, bronchospasm, infant
Nonoxide Sol-Gel Synthesis of Terbium-Doped Silicon Nitride Phosphors
No full textExposure of solutions of Tb(N(SiMe3)2)3 with SiCl(NEt2)3 in tetrahydrofuran to dry ammonia results in polymeric xerogels. Heating these gels in ammonia leads to amorphous Tb:SiNx phosphors that exhibit bright green luminescence under UV irradiation. MAS-NMR and combustion analysis reveal that the phosphors are silicon nitride materials analogous to those typically produced by sol–gel routes. Photoluminescence behavior is similar to that of Tb:SiNx or Tb:SiO2 films produced by ion implantation that show good electroluminescence activity
CXCR3 renal expression in glomerulonephritis in children: is there a connection with the course of the disease?
No full textBackground: Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a common childhood disease that may represent a significant cause of chronic kidney disease at one point of its course. The role of chemokines in glomerulonephritis, has been long anticipated and studied and the possible link between certain chemokines and different renal pathologies, if proved, can pave the road for future use of such markers for early prognosis and possible therapies for this common disease.Objective: in this study, we aimed at detecting CXCR3 in the renal biopsies done for children with glomerulonephritis and to correlate it to the nature of renal pathology and response to therapy.Methods: The glomerular and interstitial expression of CXCR3 in renal biopsies done for 22 patients with glomerulonephritis was studied using immunohistochemical staining. Pathologies already diagnosed in these biopsies were proliferative GN (mesangioproliferative GN, diffuse proliferative GN, focal proliferative GN, IgA nephropathy and crescentic GN) as well as non-proliferative GN (Minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, diffuse mesangial sclerosis and advanced hypertensive nephrosclerosis). History, clinical findings and laboratory investigations in the initial presentation and at the time of the study were obtained.Results: The degree of glomerular and interstitial CXCR3 expression did not vary with gender, age of presentation, response to steroids, or cumulative doses of steroids. Percentage of strong glomerular CXCR3 expression was much higher in proliferative GN compared to non-proliferative GN although the difference was not statistically significant, percentage of renal dysfunction was more among strong glomerular and mild/moderate interstitial CXCR3 expression with no statistically significant difference from the counterparts.Conclusion: Our study revealed that enhanced CXCR3 renal expression on glomerular and interstitial levels did not affect the response to steroids along the course of the disease and so can probably act as a therapeutic target rather than a prognostic marker.Keywords: glom. CXCR3, int. CXCR3, glomerulonephritis, renal biops
IL-13 R130Q single nucleotide polymorphism in asthmatic Egyptian children
No full textBackground: Asthma and its associated phenotypes are under a substantial degree of genetic control. The common variant IL-13 gene polymorphism R130Q is reported to be associated with the risk of development of asthma in some populations. Objective: We sought to study the association of IL-13 genetic variant R130Q with bronchial asthma in Egyptian children and its relation to various clinical and laboratory phenotypes of the disease. Methods: IL13 gene polymorphism (R130Q) was detected by PCR amplification followed by sequencing using pure script total DNA in 20 asthmatic patients in acute exacerbation. The results were compared to 20 healthy age and sex matched children. Results: Asthmatic children had significantly higher frequency of distribution of R130Q genotype (50%) than controls (15%). The serum total IgE as percent of high normal for age was significantly higher in asthmatic patients as compared to controls with a mean of 208.77 ±237.06% and 14.21 ± 8.08% respectively. No significant difference was observed in the mean AEC(as a percent of high normal for age) of both groups (80.85 ± 116.4% and 82.50 ± 81.4% respectively). No significant differences were observed between patients with IL-13 polymorphism R130Q and those without such polymorphism as regards family history, relation of exacerbations to upper respiratory tract infections, history of food allergy or asthma grading. Serum total IgE was significantly higher in asthmatics with GA genotype as compared to those with GG genotype with a mean of 373.25 ± 238.11% and 44.28 ± 42.65% respectively. A similar finding was also observed among the control group with a mean of 28.03 ± 9.12% and 11.77 ± 5.00% respectively. Finally a significantly higher AEC was observed in controls with GA as compared to GG genotype with a mean of 250.00 ± 51.96% versus 52.94 ± 36.87% respectively. Conclusion: The common variant IL-13 gene polymorphism R130Q is frequently associated with pediatric asthma. This variant is more active than the wild type in inducing allergic inflammation as reflected by the higher serum total IgE and AEC. Hence, IL-13R130Q may be candidate for future gene therapy targeted at reducing the ill-effects of this polymorphism.Keywords: IL-13R130Q – bronchial asthma - pediatricsEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010;8(1):9-1
Latex Hypersensitivity among Allergic Egyptian Children: Relation to Parental/Self Reports
No full textAprendendo com o passado: Antigas e novas responsabilidades éticas na pesquisa em saúde
No full textPurpose/Background. This article critically examines the ethical issues in a longitudinal experimental study on the impact of nutrition and stimulation on early childhood development in Jamaica, originally conducted in 1991 and revisited in several cases, the last in 2022. It argues that the research involved ethically questionable practices from the outset including children in extreme poverty without guaranteeing minimal interventions and applying a double ethical standard.
Methodology/Approach: Using international bioethical standards, the authors assess the study\u27s design and ethical shortcomings from the vantage point of the Declaration of Helsinki and CIOMS guidelines.
Results/Findings: They identified several ethically questionable practices including, the non-provision of food or stimulation, or both, children in the control groups, lack of documented ethical review, double ethical standards and new risks in the 2022 follow-up, such as, participant re-identification, the potential of stigmatization and undue inducement caused by financial compensation.
Discussion/Conclusions/Contributions: The authors urge for ethical accountability when current research builds on ethically compromised studies. They emphasize that researchers, ethics committees, and journal editors must critically assess the ethical background and challenges of cited studies, assuming shared responsibilities upholding universal ethical principles in research involving vulnerable populations.Propósito/Contexto. Este artículo revisa críticamente los aspectos éticos de un estudio longitudinal experimental sobre el impacto de la nutrición y estimulación en el desarrollo infantil, realizado en Jamaica, iniciado en 1991 y actualizado en varias ocasiones, la última, en 2022. Señala que, desde su origen, el estudio involucró prácticas éticamente cuestionables al incluir niños en pobreza extrema sin garantizar intervenciones mínimas y aplicando un doble estándar ético.
Metodología/Enfoque. A través de un análisis documental desde la bioética internacional, los autores contrastan el diseño y la ejecución del estudio con principios consagrados en la Declaración de Helsinki y las directrices CIOMS.
Resultados/Hallazgos. Se identifican múltiples prácticas éticamente cuestionables que incluyeron la no provisión de alimentos o estimulación, o ambos, a los niños en los grupos control, ausencia de revisión ética documentada, doble estándar ético y riesgos añadidos en el seguimiento de 2022, incluyendo re-identificación de participantes, potencial estigmatización y posible inducción indebida mediante compensaciones económicas.
Discusión/Conclusiones/Contribuciones. El artículo hace un llamado a no ignorar las faltas éticas del pasado, especialmente cuando investigaciones actuales se construyen sobre ellas. Sostiene que investigadores, comités de ética y editores deben asumir responsabilidades compartidas y promover una revisión crítica sobre los desafíos éticos de los estudios utilizados como base en nuevas publicaciones.Objectif/Contexte : Cet article examine de manière critique les questions éthiques d\u27une étude expérimentale longitudinale sur l\u27impact de la nutrition et de la stimulation sur le développement de la petite enfance en Jamaïque, menée à l\u27origine en 1991 et revisitée dans plusieurs cas, le dernier en 2022. Il soutient que la recherche a impliqué des pratiques éthiquement discutables dès le départ, incluant des enfants en situation d\u27extrême pauvreté sans garantir d\u27interventions minimales et en appliquant un double standard éthique.
Méthodologie/approche : En s\u27appuyant sur les normes bioéthiques internationales, les auteurs évaluent la conception de l\u27étude et les lacunes éthiques du point de vue de la Déclaration d\u27Helsinki et des lignes directrices du CIOMS.
Résultats : Les auteurs ont identifié plusieurs pratiques éthiquement douteuses, notamment l\u27absence de nourriture ou de stimulation, ou les deux, pour les enfants des groupes de contrôle, l\u27absence d\u27examen éthique documenté, les doubles normes éthiques et les nouveaux risques du suivi 2022, tels que la ré-identification des participants, le potentiel de stigmatisation et l\u27incitation injustifiée causée par la compensation financière.
Discussion/Conclusions/Contributions : Les auteurs appellent à la responsabilité éthique lorsque les recherches actuelles s\u27appuient sur des études compromises sur le plan éthique. Ils soulignent que les chercheurs, les comités d\u27éthique et les rédacteurs en chef des revues doivent évaluer de manière critique le contexte éthique et les défis des études citées, en assumant des responsabilités partagées pour faire respecter les principes éthiques universels dans la recherche impliquant des populations vulnérables.Objetivo/Contexto. Este artigo analisa criticamente os aspectos éticos de um estudo longitudinal experimental sobre o impacto da nutrição e da estimulação no desenvolvimento infantil, realizado na Jamaica, iniciado em 1991 e atualizado várias vezes, a última delas em 2022. Ele aponta que, desde sua origem, o estudo envolveu práticas eticamente questionáveis ao incluir crianças em extrema pobreza sem garantir intervenções mínimas e aplicando um duplo padrão ético.
Metodologia/Abordagem. Por meio de uma análise documental a partir da bioética internacional, os autores contrastam o desenho e a execução do estudo com os princípios consagrados na Declaração de Helsinque e nas diretrizes do CIOMS.
Resultados/Conclusões. Foram identificadas várias práticas eticamente questionáveis, incluindo a não provisão de alimentos ou estímulos, ou ambos, às crianças dos grupos de controle, a ausência de revisão ética documentada, o duplo padrão ético e os riscos adicionais no acompanhamento de 2022, incluindo a reidentificação dos participantes, a potencial estigmatização e a possível indução indevida por meio de compensações econômicas.
Discussão/Conclusões/Contribuições. O artigo apela para que não se ignorem as falhas éticas do passado, especialmente quando pesquisas atuais se baseiam nelas. Ele sustenta que pesquisadores, comitês de ética e editores devem assumir responsabilidades compartilhadas e promover uma revisão crítica sobre os desafios éticos dos estudos usados como base em novas publicações
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