Publications by authors named "Akmal D"

Background: Many of the pediatric health care workers (HCWs) suffered from sleep disturbance, anxiety, and potential stress disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work-related stress is a potential cause of concern in HCWs and is associated with decreased job satisfaction, anxiety, depression, medical errors, and near misses. This study aims to investigate the various psychological consequences on medical personnel working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Background: Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) of pre-term infants may be associated with high rate of mortality and iatrogenic complications in low- and middle-income countries. Sustained lung inflation (SLI) may help to reduce their need for IMV.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 160 infants with gestational age (GA) ≥27 and ≤32 weeks who were randomly assigned to receive either SLI; using a pressure of 20 cmH2O for 15 s followed by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5 cmH2O or nasal CPAP alone, through an appropriate mask and a T-piece resuscitator.

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Background: Compared to developed countries, the use of antimicrobials in Egypt is less regulated and is available over the counter without the need for prescriptions. The impact of such policy on antimicrobial resistance has not been studied. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of early and late onset sepsis, and the frequency of antimicrobial resistance in a major referral neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

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Objective: To compare the performance and accuracy of the JM-103 transcutaneous bilirubinometer and Bilistick System in measuring total serum bilirubin for the early identification of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Study Design: The study was performed on 126 consecutive term and near-term (⩾36 weeks' gestational age) jaundiced newborns in Cairo University Children Hospital NICU, Egypt. Total serum bilirubin was assayed concurrently by the clinical laboratory and Bilistick System and estimated using the JM-103 transcutaneous bilirubin instrument.

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is accompanied by increased oxidative stress, causing many complications to pregnant women and their newborns. We aimed to determine cord blood levels of mean platelet volume (MPV) and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) as a reflection of oxidative stress in babies born to mothers suffering from GDM. Eighty pregnant women were enrolled in the study.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hypoxia-ischemia is a major cause of neurological issues in newborns, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from their umbilical cord blood might help regenerate damaged brain tissue.
  • The study analyzed cord blood samples from asphyxiated full-term newborns, healthy newborns, and non-hypoxic premature neonates to evaluate MSCs and their ability to differentiate into neural tissue.
  • Results showed that MSCs from hypoxic-term infants exhibited the highest neural differentiation, suggesting these cells could be a viable option for autologous transplantation in affected newborns.
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A locally isolated soil microorganism identified as Erwinia sp. USMI-20 has been found to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), from either palm oil or glucose and its copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV), from a combination of palm oil and a second carbon source of either one of the following compounds: propionic acid, n-propanol, valeric acid and n-pentanol. It was found that Erwinia sp.

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