Medical Sector

Background: Phonophobia describes sound intolerance, one of the characteristic symptoms associated with migraine attacks (Vingen et al., 1998).

Objective: To compare the outcome of phacoviscocanalostomy in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) versus that in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Ureaplasma spp. respiratory tract colonization is a significant risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disorder in preterm infants. As an initial step preparatory to future clinical trials to evaluate the clinical efficacy of azithromycin to prevent BPD, the authors characterized the pharmacokinetics, safety, and biological effects of a single intravenous dose of azithromycin (10 mg/kg) in preterm neonates (n = 12) 24 to 28 weeks gestation at risk for Ureaplasma infection and BPD. A 2-compartment structural model with the clearance and volume of peripheral

The present investigation was designed to study the cardioprotective effects of nicorandil and pioglitazone preconditioning in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced hemodynamic, biochemical and histological changes in rats. Oral doses of nicorandil (3 or 6 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (10 or 20 mg/kg) were administered once daily for 5 consecutive days. Rats were then subjected to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (40 min/10 min). Heart rate and ventricular arrhythmias were recorded during ischemia/reperfusion progress. At the end of reperfusion, plasma creatine kinase-MB activity and total nitrate/nitrite were determined. In addition, lactate, adenine nucleotides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione and myeloperoxidase activity were estimated in the heart left ventricle. Finally, histological examination was performed to visualize the protective cellular effects of different pretreatments. Nicorandil (3 or 6 mg/kg) was effective in attenuating the ischemia/reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias, creatine kinase-MB release, lactate accumulation and oxidative stress. Nicorandil (3 mg/kg) was more effective in improving the energy production and lowering the elevated myeloperoxidase activity. Both doses of pioglitazone (10 or 20 mg/kg) were equally effective in reducing lactate accumulation and completely counteracting the oxidative stress. Pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) was more effective in improving energy production and reducing ventricular arrhythmias, plasma creatine kinase-MB release and total nitrate/nitrite. It seems that selective mitochondrial KATP channel opening by lower doses of nicorandil and pioglitazone in the present study provided more cardioprotection against ventricular arrhythmias and biochemical changes induced by ischemia/reperfusion. Histological examination revealed also better improvement by the lower dose of nicorandil than that of pioglitazone.

IF: 2.240

Background: Pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem which has been increasingly recognized with the dramatic rise in pediatric obesity. Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify the clinical, sonographic and biochemical predictors for NAFLD in obese children. Methods: Seventy-six children (2-15 years) were included after an informed consent. All were subjected to full anthropometric assessment (including height, weight, body mass index, subscapular skin fold thickness, waist and hip circumference and calculation of waist: hip ratio), biochemical assessment of liver function tests, lipid profile and insulin resistance and sonographic assessment of hepatic echogenicity. Liver biopsy when indicated; it was done in 33 patients.

Fenoterol HBr is a bronchodilator known to be subject to first pass effect after oral administration. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate fenoterol HBr suppositories. Suppositories were prepared by a fusion method using different fatty bases, viz. Witepsol H15, Witepsol E75, Suppocire AP, and Suppocire BM, as well as different hydrophilic bases, viz. polyethylene glycol and poloxamer bases. In vitro release studies revealed a greater release of the drug from hydrophilic bases than from fatty bases. The effect of incorporating different types and concentrations of non-ionic surfactants (Tween 60 and Span 20) on the release rate of the drug from Witepsol H15, as a model fatty base, was investigated. Results showed an enhanced release at low surfactant concentrations. A very fast 100% drug release was achieved when the drug was incorporated as an aqueous solution in Witepsol H15 (F17). This formula was selected to test the effect of fenoterol HBr suppositories on histamine-induced bronchospasms in Guinea pigs. No dyspnea of the animals was recorded for up to 30 min. In addition, thermogel liquid suppositories of different poloxamer 188 and poloxamer 407 proportions in the presence of sodium alginate as a mucoadhesive polymer were prepared. The different formulations behaved similarly concerning sustainment of drug release, however, only the formula containing 15% poloxamer 188 and 25% poloxamer 407 (F20) showed optimal gelation at body temperature. In conclusion, among the studied suppository bases there are bases suitable for fast release of the drug like F17 and hydrophilic bases especially polyethylene glycol, as well as other bases for sustained release applications of fenoterol HBr like fatty and thermogel bases.

This study was conducted to determine prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life and to identify factors that interfere with this practice in the study area.
METHODS:
A retrograde cross-sectional study included 1,059 mothers who attended the rural health unit to immunize their young children (6-24 months old) in Al Der village in Kaliubia Governorate, Egypt.
RESULTS:
We found 95.8% of mothers (1,015 of 1,059) breastfeeding their babies, whereas only 9.7% (103 of 1,059) were exclusively breastfeeding their infants for 6 months. Among the different sociodemographic, maternal, and infant factors studied, only antenatal care (four or more visits), early breastfeeding initiation after delivery, male infant, and absence of breastfeeding difficulties were the significant predictors associated with higher chance for exclusive breastfeeding.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study indicates that the prevalence rate of exclusive breastfeeding is low in Egypt and that interventions are needed to bridge the gap between the current practices of breastfeeding and the World Health Organization recommendations.

We report on a case of prostate multilocular cystadenoma presenting with primary infertility and obstructive azoospermia. Our patient is a 36-year-old presenting with primary infertility in addition to mild deep pelvic pain. Semen analysis revealed azoospermia with positive fructose. His prostate-specific antigen was 0.7 ng/dL and his imaging revealed a large multilocular cystic mass with multiple internal enhancing septa. Transrectal ultrasonography-guided aspiration and biopsies revealed a lining of regular low cuboidal cells. Surgical removal was undertaken through a transperitoneal/retroperitoneal approach and pathology was consistent with a prostatic multilocular cystadenoma. Further studies are needed to characterize and classify cystic lesions of the prostate.