Remediation of the effect of adding cyanides on an algal/bacterial treatment of a mixture of organic pollutants in a continuous photobioreactor.

The effect of inorganic pollutants on the treatment of organic pollutants using algal/bacterial microcosm was investigated in a continuous photobioreactor. The microcosm was composed of Chlorella vulgaris MM1 and Pseudomonas MT1 and was able to efficiently treat artificial waste-water contaminated with 6.4 salicylate and 2.

Management of parenteral nutrition associated hyperglycaemia: a comparison of subcutaneous and intravenous insulin regimen.

PN is associated with significant hyperglycaemia, which may be detrimental to clinical outcome. There are few data on the management of this phenomenon outside of intensive care units. In our unit, we studied the efficacy of protocol-based intravenous insulin delivery as compared to subcutaneous insulin prescribed individually outside of the critical care setting.

Preoperative differentiation of thyroid adenomas and thyroid carcinomas using high resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Background: To evaluate the impact of high-resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in combination with Color Coded and Power Doppler Sonography (CCDS/PD) in the preoperative differentiation of thyroid adenomas and thyroid carcinomas.

Methods: A total of 101 patients (55 female, median age 54 years) underwent surgery for thyroid adenoma and thyroid carcinoma. CCDS/PD and CEUS were performed in all patients by an experienced examiner using a multifrequency linear transducer (6-9 or 6-15 MHz) and were digitally stored.

Red yeast rice and coenzyme Q10 as safe alternatives to surmount atorvastatin-induced myopathy in hyperlipidemic rats.

Statins are the first line treatment for the management of hyperlipidemia. However, the primary adverse effect limiting their use is myopathy. This study examines the efficacy and safety of red yeast rice (RYR), a source of natural statins, as compared with atorvastatin, which is the most widely used synthetic statin.

Naringenin adds to the protective effect of L-arginine in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats: favorable modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation and nitric oxide.

The present study was directed to investigate the possible modulatory effect of naringenin when co-administered with L-arginine in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. Pulmonary hypertension was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg). L-arginine (500 mg/kg) and naringenin (50 mg/kg) were orally administered daily, alone and in combination, for 3 weeks.

Laparoscopic trans- and retroperitoneal adrenal surgery for large tumors.

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for tumors larger than 6 cm is currently a matter of controversial discussion because of difficult mobilization from surrounding organs and a possible risk of capsule rupture.

Materials And Methods: Data of consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy between 1/1994 and 7/2012 were collected and analysed retrospectively. Intra- and postoperative morbidity in patients with tumors ≤6 cm (group 1, n = 227) were compared to patients with tumors >6 cm, (group 2, n = 52).

Central venous pressure catheter for large-volume paracentesis in refractory ascites.

Background And Aims: About 10 % of cirrhotic patients are unresponsive to sodium restriction and diuretics and develop refractory ascites. Such patients usually require recurrent large-volume paracentesis and lots of hospital admissions. Hereby, we introduce a method applying a central vein (CV) catheter for large-volume paracentesis in patients with refractory ascites in up to 4 days associated with sodium restriction and high dose of diuretics.

[A 43-year-old patient with character changes, recurrent impaired consciousness and retrograde amnesia].

A 43-year-old male patient with recurring impaired consciousness and retrograde amnesia was admitted to the department of neurology. During the neurological evaluation no pathological findings could initially be revealed but one day the patient was confused again and presented with inadequate behavior: at this time a blood glucose value of 40 mg/dl was measured. For further evaluation the patient was transferred to our department.

KLRG1+ NK cells protect T-bet-deficient mice from pulmonary metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

We studied the developmental and functional mechanisms behind NK cell-mediated antitumor responses against metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in mice. In particular, we focused on investigating the significance of T-box transcription factors and the immunotherapeutic relevance of IL-15 in the development and function of tumor-reactive NK cells. Pulmonary CRC metastases were experimentally seeded via an adoptive i.

Peg-interfon alpha-2a and low-dose ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with sickle-cell anemia in Saudi Arabia.

Background And Objectives: Data regarding the safety and efficacy of antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) in patients with sickle-cell disease (SCD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are scanty. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of antiviral therapy with PEG-IFN and low-dose RBV in patients with SCD and chronic HCV infection receiving hydroxyurea in Saudi Arabia.

Design And Settings: This was a prospective interventional study conducted between January 2009 and September 2012 at the outpatient departments of Haematology and Hepatology/Gastroenterology of a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Vitamin d deficiency in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus in southern region of saudi arabia.

Introduction: Type-2 diabetes mellitus and Vitamin D deficiency are both common in Saudi Arabian population. New roles of vitamin D have emerged recently especially in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer and insulin resistance.

Objective: To estimate 25-OH vitamin D deficiency in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus in comparison to normal age-matched non-diabetic control population.

High HIV incidence among persons who inject drugs in Pakistan: greater risk with needle sharing and injecting frequently among the homeless.

Background: The incidence of HIV among persons who inject drugs (PWIDU) has fallen in many nations, likely due to successes of clean needle/syringe exchange and substance abuse treatment and service programs. However in Pakistan, prevalence rates for PWID have risen dramatically. In several cities, prevalence exceeded 20% by 2009 compared to a 2003 baseline of just 0.

Occurrence of microalbuminuria among children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Microalbuminuria precedes the onset of diabetic nephropathy in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) pediatric patients. Its prevention is among the most important challenges in managing IDDM. We attempted to determine the occurrence of microalbuminuria among IDDM Saudi children and adolescents and its associated risk factors.

Long-term oncologic outcome after laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer.

Background: Recent studies demonstrated favorable short- and mid-term results after laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. However, long-term results from large series are lacking. The present study analyses long-term results of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery from a large-volume center.

The role of contrast-enhancend ultrasonography (CEUS) in comparison with 99mTechnetium-sestamibi scintigraphy for localization diagnostic of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: Correct preoperative detection of parathyroid gland adenoma (PA) in the case of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is the requirement for unilateral cervical exploration associated with lower morbidity. We present our experience with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as diagnostic tool for the preoperative localization of PA in pHPT in comparison to the (99m)Technetium-sestamibi scintigraphy.

Methods: Between 8/2009-5/2013 143 patients with pHPT received surgical interventions in the Department of Surgery at the University Hospital of Regensburg.

Characterization of the ABCC8 gene mutation and phenotype in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism in western Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To understand the genetic etiologies of congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) in a population of Saudi patients, and to explore genotype-phenotype characteristics.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 11 children with CHI presenting to King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between March 2007 and February 2012. Mutational analysis (ABCC8 and KCNJ11) was performed retrospectively to identify phenotype and genotype characteristics.

Low-dose hydrocortisone replacement therapy is associated with improved bone remodelling balance in hypopituitary male patients.

Objective: Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is associated with adverse effects on bone metabolism, yet the effects of different GC physiological replacement regimens in hypopituitarism are not well characterised. We aimed to assess the effect of three hydrocortisone (HC) replacement dose regimens on bone turnover.

Study Design: An open cross-over study randomising ten hypopituitary men with severe acth deficiency to three commonly used HC dose regimens: dose A (20 mg mane and 10 mg tarde), dose B (10 mg mane and 10 mg tarde) and dose C (10 mg mane and 5 mg tarde).

Preoperative diagnosis of thyroid adenomas using high resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

To evaluate the impact of high-resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), Color Coded and Power Doppler Sonography (CCDS/PD), in the preoperative recognition of thyroid adenomas. A total of 64 patients (36 female, median age 54 years) underwent surgery for thyroid adenoma. CEUS with linear multifrequency probes (6-9 or 6-15 MHz) and CCDS/PD was performed in all patients preoperatively by an experienced examiner and images were stored in PACS.

Late recovery of cranial diabetes insipidus following pituitary surgery.

Background: Diabetes insipidus (DI) is common following surgery for a pituitary/sellar lesion. Postoperative DI persisting beyond a few weeks is usually regarded as permanent, requiring lifelong desmopressin therapy.

Case Presentation: A 16-year-old girl underwent pituitary decompression following a pituitary tumour apoplexy.

Predictors of malignancy in primary aldosteronism.

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA, also Conn syndrome) is a benign disease in majority of cases. However, malignant transformation has been described. Present study reports on three cases of aldosterone producing adrenocortical carcinoma (APAC) in comparison to patients with benign PA.

Women trafficking: causes, concerns, care!

Pakistan is both a country of origin and destination as far as women trafficking is concerned. Poverty, gender discrimination, lack of education, and ignorance about legal rights are some of the underlying causes. Available data suggest several areas of concern, like, for instance: direct health effects, maladaptive coping leading to the use of illicit drugs, and inaccessibility to healthcare facilities.

Autofluorescent imaging in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Background And Objectives: Autofluorescence imaging (AFI) is mainly used to detect (pre)cancerous colorectal and pulmonal lesions. This is the first report establishing the feasibility of AFI in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC).

Methods: This is a prospective analysis of 10 patients undergoing conventional white-light laparoscopy (WL) and AFI for PC of different gastrointestinal tumors and 1 ovarian cancer.

Feasibility of the cut-and-push method for removing large-caliber soft percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy devices.

Introduction: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the method of choice for long-term nutrition in patients with longstanding eating difficulties due to pathological entities that impair swallowing. The feeding catheters are designed to be removed by external traction or by endoscopy.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of the cut-and-push method as a possible safe alternative to the pullout method for removal of soft PEG devices with a large caliber.

Polymorphism of CYP1A1 gene and susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Egypt.

The origin of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may be explained by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure. We aimed to study the frequency of CYP1A1 allelic variants in Egyptian patients with ALL, to evaluate their role in the development of ALL and to correlate these allelic variants with clinical and biological characteristics of the patients. Polymorphism of CYP1A1*2A, *2B and *4 alleles was examined in 186 Egyptian children with ALL and 200 normal individuals using polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP).

Association between genotype, clinical presentation, and severity of congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a review.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) applies to a family of inherited disorders of steroidogenesis caused by an abnormality in one of the five enzymatic steps necessary in the conversion of cholesterol to cortisol. The enzyme defects are transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Patients with a "classical" form of CAH usually present during the neonatal and early infancy period with adrenal insufficiency, which could be associated with a salt- losing pathology.