Mahmoud Abd El Hafez M. Adam

OBJECTIVE: To screen normal and high risk Egyptian neonates for galactosemia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 2238 neonates classified into two groups. Group I included screening of 1794 normal newborns. Group II included 374 high risk neonates (jaundice, hepatomegaly and failure to thrive). Group III 70 prematures. Total galactose was determined by enzymatic colourimetric method in dried blood spot (Quantase). The enzymes activities (uridyltransferase and epimerase) were measured using C14.

RESULTS: One case of galactosemia was found in the first group and 26 cases in the second group. 19 patients suffered from uridyltransferase deficiency, the parents of 16 (88.8%) of this classic form were consanguineous and 5 (27.7%) parents had history of a previously affected child. Mean age of diagnosis was 3.8 month with a mean total gal value of 52.9 mg/dl. 10 (55.5%) of them have cataract. The other 8 affected neonates were epimerase deficiency patients. 5 (62.5%) of them born to consanguineous parents. Parents of the epimerase deficiency neonates have no previously affected children. Mean age of diagnosis was 7.2 month with a mean total gal of 17.5 mg/dl. All eight patients have cataract.

CONCLUSION: Mass screening program is not available yet in Egypt. Screening of the high risk neonates is a priority. Diagnosis of different galactosemia forms is mandatory to structure the management strategy accordingly. (Fig. 4, Ref: 26.)

This paper presents a numerical study of the performance of a dynamically loaded finite journal plastic bearing lubricated with a non-Newtonian fluid, taking into account the elastic deformation of the bearing. The non-Newtonian characteristics are adopted in this paper through an equivalent power-law. An expression for a modified Reynolds equation is derived in order to obtain the pressure gradient. Elastic deformation of the bearing surface was estimated in a direction normal to the bearing surface using Boussinesq equations. The film shape was modified accordingly and then iterated with the hydrodynamic pressure distribution in the bearing until a convergent solution was obtained. The Reynolds equation was solved numerically, considering three values of the flow-behavior index (n = 0.6, 1, and 1.2) and a wide range of journal speeds, materials, and clearance ratios. Consequently, the finite perturbation technique was used to determine the eight values of oil film stiffness and damping coefficients. By using the dynamic coefficients, the stability characteristics of the rotor-bearing system and the critical speed were calculated. The results show that increasing the flow-behavior index enhances the rotor-bearing system stability. A considerable destabilizing effect is obtained upon decreasing the elastic deformation coefficient.

Ferrite samples having the general formula Ni1-xZn xLa0.05Fe1.95O4 were prepared using the standard ceramic method. The effect of sintering temperature, heating rate, and sintering time on the structural and the electrical properties was studied. The data show that electrical conductivity in σ as well as dielectric constant ε′ are highly dependent on both Zn content x and the sintering conditions. The data obtained show that 1250°C is a critical sintering temperature. At this sintering temperature the grain growth is increased as the formation of spinel structure reaches its maximum value, and the volume diffusion is predominant. The critical heating rate is 4°C/min where the full reaction and maximum densification occur simultaneously. The effect of sintering time was also studied at a constant heating rate of 4°C/min and sintering temperature of 1250°C. All the data obtained are nearly constant and begin to increase after 83 h. SEM and electrical properties confirmed the results obtained. © 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Gluconacetobacter- like diazotrophs were encountered as dense populations inside the root and stem tissues of sugarcane cultivated in ancient agricultural fields of the Nile Delta. Counts of >105 cells g-1 were recorded in root and stem samples. The leaves contained a smaller population (<103 g-1). The typical dark-orange colonies which developed on LGIP agar plates were purified. Identification was performed with the API microtube systems: API 20E for Enterobacteriaceae and API 20NE for non-Enterobacteriaceae. API profiles of the local isolates were closely related to those of the type culture Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (ATTC 49037). The isolates successfully reduced C2H2 and produced appreciable amounts of ethylene in the presence of cane juice. This suggested that the local isolates are closely related to the type strain G. diazotrophicus. Wheat seedlings were inoculated with a number of isolates under gnotobiotic conditions. Both optical and scanning electron microscopy showed that endophytic Gluconacetobacter spp. were present in all the samples tested. They were observed in apparently intact and enlarged epidermal root cells, and also in stem tissues, indicating that the bacterium was able to migrate upward into the shoot tissues. Although Gluconacetobacter inoculation did not stimulate the growth of the cereal plant, the results obtained are particularly interesting because this bacterial species was capable of colonizing the internal tissues of wheat, not considered a natural host until now. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

Viral hepatitis is a common and important problem in immunocompromised cancer patients. The present study was conducted to investigate changes in some cellular and humoral immunological parameters as a consequence of HCV infection in non Hodgkin's lymphoma patients (NHL). The study included 40 NHL patients: 20 anti-HCV antibody positive (Gr. I ), and 20 anti-HCV antibody negative (Gr.II ). In addition, forty non-cancer controls (NCCs) were included: 20 of them were anti-HCV antibody positive (Gr. III) and 20 anti-HCV antibody negative (Gr. IV). The studied immunological parameters included serum levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (s-TNFr) measured by ELISA, as well as assessment of T and B lymphocyte subsets by PAP immunostaining method. Mean IL-1 level (pg/ml) was significantly higher in Gr. 1 (14 +/- 6) and Gr. III (20 +/- 12) as compared to those in Gr. II (7 +/- 5) and Gr. IV (9 +/- 6). Mean IL-2 level (pg/ml) was also significantly higher in Gr. I (132 +/- 101) and Gr. III (135 +/- 59) compared to those in Gr. II (36 +/- 29) and Gr. IV (31 +/- 48). On the other hand, level of IL-6 showed no significant difference between groups. The mean level of sTNF-r, (ng/ml) was only significantly higher in Gr. I (2.9 +/- 1.7) when compared to that in Gr. IV (1.9 +/- 2.2). In group IV, the average percentage of CD3 (70 +/- 4%) and CD4 (44 +/- 5%) were significantly higher than in those of Gr. I (CD3 = 51 +/- 11%, CD4 = 30 +/- 12%), Gr. II (CD3 = 52 +/- 7%, CD4 = 30 +/- 8%), and Gr. III (CD3 = 52 +/- 9%, CD4 = 26 +/- 8%). From all the above immunological and virological features two main tips could be inferred: (1) HCV leads a mild course of infection in NCCs evidenced by normal ALT level in all but 20% of subjects, normal IL-6, sTNF-r, lower counts of CD4+ T cells and hence a mild hepatocellular injury, and (2) In the immunocompromised NHL patients the virus leads potentially more aggressive course as evidenced by higher viremia, as well as significant elevation in sTNF-r, and CD8+ depression.

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease secondary to chronic anemia and hemosiderosis remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in thalassemic patients. Chronic anemia and the tissue hypoxia it induces impair free fatty acid oxidation and ATP production in myocardial cells. The use of L-carnitine, a butyric acid derivative, may help overcome some of these defects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-carnitine therapy on cardiac function in thalassemia major patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac function was evaluated in 30 patients attending our clinic. The mean (+/-SD) age was 15.87 +/- 3.19 years. The studies we performed included echocardiography, Doppler and multigated equilibrium radionuclide angiography (MUGA). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated before starting L-carnitine treatment and after 6 months of oral L-carnitine (50 mg/kg/day).

RESULTS: Echocardiography studies revealed no significant changes in systolic and diastolic function after L-carnitine therapy (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data taken by MUGA performed in 20 of the patients, however, showed a significant improvement of diastolic function after 6 months of L-carnitine therapy. The mean peak filling rate (end-diastolic volume/s) increased from 3.15 +/- 1.06 to 3.61 +/- 1.68 (p < 0.03). The time to peak (during filling) decreased significantly from 143.45 +/- 42.04 to 117.70 +/- 24.40 s (p < 0.02). Systolic function showed a significant increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 58.25 +/- 9.92 to 63.95 +/- 10.11% (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: L-carnitine may be an effective drug for improving the cardiac status of thalassemic patients. MUGA is the most accurate technique of those used here for assessing left ventricular function in these patients.

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease secondary to chronic anemia and hemosiderosis remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in thalassemic patients. Chronic anemia and the tissue hypoxia it induces impair free fatty acid oxidation and ATP production in myocardial cells. The use of L-carnitine, a butyric acid derivative, may help overcome some of these defects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-carnitine therapy on cardiac function in thalassemia major patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac function was evaluated in 30 patients attending our clinic. The mean (+/-SD) age was 15.87 +/- 3.19 years. The studies we performed included echocardiography, Doppler and multigated equilibrium radionuclide angiography (MUGA). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated before starting L-carnitine treatment and after 6 months of oral L-carnitine (50 mg/kg/day).

RESULTS: Echocardiography studies revealed no significant changes in systolic and diastolic function after L-carnitine therapy (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data taken by MUGA performed in 20 of the patients, however, showed a significant improvement of diastolic function after 6 months of L-carnitine therapy. The mean peak filling rate (end-diastolic volume/s) increased from 3.15 +/- 1.06 to 3.61 +/- 1.68 (p < 0.03). The time to peak (during filling) decreased significantly from 143.45 +/- 42.04 to 117.70 +/- 24.40 s (p < 0.02). Systolic function showed a significant increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 58.25 +/- 9.92 to 63.95 +/- 10.11% (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: L-carnitine may be an effective drug for improving the cardiac status of thalassemic patients. MUGA is the most accurate technique of those used here for assessing left ventricular function in these patients.

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease secondary to chronic anemia and hemosiderosis remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in thalassemic patients. Chronic anemia and the tissue hypoxia it induces impair free fatty acid oxidation and ATP production in myocardial cells. The use of L-carnitine, a butyric acid derivative, may help overcome some of these defects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-carnitine therapy on cardiac function in thalassemia major patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac function was evaluated in 30 patients attending our clinic. The mean (+/-SD) age was 15.87 +/- 3.19 years. The studies we performed included echocardiography, Doppler and multigated equilibrium radionuclide angiography (MUGA). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated before starting L-carnitine treatment and after 6 months of oral L-carnitine (50 mg/kg/day).

RESULTS: Echocardiography studies revealed no significant changes in systolic and diastolic function after L-carnitine therapy (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data taken by MUGA performed in 20 of the patients, however, showed a significant improvement of diastolic function after 6 months of L-carnitine therapy. The mean peak filling rate (end-diastolic volume/s) increased from 3.15 +/- 1.06 to 3.61 +/- 1.68 (p < 0.03). The time to peak (during filling) decreased significantly from 143.45 +/- 42.04 to 117.70 +/- 24.40 s (p < 0.02). Systolic function showed a significant increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 58.25 +/- 9.92 to 63.95 +/- 10.11% (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: L-carnitine may be an effective drug for improving the cardiac status of thalassemic patients. MUGA is the most accurate technique of those used here for assessing left ventricular function in these patients.

n/a