Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Does it make the difference?

Background: Management of patients with a suspected ACS and LBBB is a challenge to the clinician.

Aim: To detect the ability of IMA to exclude myocardial ischemia in suspected patients with ACS and LBBB.

Material And Methods: A total of 68 patients with suspected ACS and LBBB (group I) and another twenty patients age and sex matched known to have LBBB with normal coronary angiography (group II) were included in this study and subjected to: routine laboratory tests, 12 lead ECG, echocardiography, and measurement of serum troponin I (TnI) and IMA (measured by ELISA).

Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease: Results From the Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac Disease.

Background: Cardiac disease is 1 of the major causes of maternal mortality. We studied pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatic mitral valve disease.

Methods: The Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac Disease is an international prospective registry, and consecutive pregnant women with cardiac disease were included.

Neonatal and Maternal 25-OH Vitamin D Serum Levels in Neonates with Early-Onset Sepsis.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for calcium metabolism and plays an important role in the immune functions. The aim of this study was to measure neonatal and maternal 25-OH vitamin D serum levels in neonates with early onset sepsis. The study included fifty neonates with early onset sepsis (25 full-term and 25 preterm infants) and thirty age and sex matched healthy neonates as controls.

Effects of Postharvest Cold Storage on the Development and Survival of Immature Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Artificial Diet and Fruit.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) attacks a wide range of host plants, including crops such as blueberries, cherries, caneberries, and strawberries. We evaluated the influence of three temperatures (1.1, 3.

Global cardiac risk assessment in the Registry Of Pregnancy And Cardiac disease: results of a registry from the European Society of Cardiology.

Aims: To validate the modified World Health Organization (mWHO) risk classification in advanced and emerging countries, and to identify additional risk factors for cardiac events during pregnancy.

Methods And Results: The ongoing prospective worldwide Registry Of Pregnancy And Cardiac disease (ROPAC) included 2742 pregnant women (mean age ± standard deviation, 29.2 ± 5.

Comparison of Pregnancy Outcome between Ultrasound- Guided Tubal Recanalization and Office-Based Microhysteroscopic Ostial Dilatation in Patients with Proximal Blocked Tubes.

Background: The current research to the best of my knowledge is the first to compare the pregnancy outcome between ultrasound-guided tubal recanalization (UGTR) using a special fallopian tubal catheter, and office-based micrhysteroscopic ostial dilatation (MHOD) using the same tubal catherter in infertile women with previously diagnosed bilateral proximal tubal obstruction (PTO).

Materials And Methods: This prospective study reported the pregnancy outcomes for 200 women in private infertility care center in Arafa hospital in Fayoum and in El Minya University Hospital in the period between January 2010 and October 2013 treated as outpatients for their bilateral PTO after the routine hysterosalpingography (HSG). A Cook's catheter, special fallopian tubal catheter, were used to recanalize the blocked tubes in 100 women (group A) under UGTR, and the same Cook's tubal catheter was used through 2mm microhysteroscope to cannulate both ostia using MHOD in another 100 women (group B).

Predictive values for procalcitonin in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Background: Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis followed by appropriate treatment decreases mortality and morbidity in infants. The aim of this study is to assess the role of procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Methods: We present a cross sectional study where 35 neonates with early onset sepsis (admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at El-Minia Children University Hospital from August 2012 to August 2013) were included in the study.

Pregnancy Outcome after Office Microhysteroscopy in Women with Unexplained Infertility.

Background: Hysteroscopy offers diagnostic accuracy and the ability to treat uterine pathology. The current study aimed to review the findings and feasibility of the proposed office-based diagnostic and operative microhysteroscopy in previously diagnosed wom- en with unexplained infertility and to evaluate the post-microhysteroscopic pregnancy outcome in a-year follow-up period.

Materials And Methods: This prospective controlled study was conducted between 2006 and 2013.

Is an exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise in hypertensive patients a benign phenomenon or a dangerous alarm?

Background: A hypertensive response to exercise is associated with high cardiovascular risk, whereas scarce data are available about its relation to surrogates of subclinical atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickness (IMT) have been demonstrated in atherosclerotic patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between a hypertensive response to exercise and IMT as well as endothelial function as surrogates of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Human retinal transmitochondrial cybrids with J or H mtDNA haplogroups respond differently to ultraviolet radiation: implications for retinal diseases.

Background: It has been recognized that cells do not respond equally to ultraviolet (UV) radiation but it is not clear whether this is due to genetic, biochemical or structural differences of the cells. We have a novel cybrid (cytoplasmic hybrids) model that allows us to analyze the contribution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to cellular response after exposure to sub-lethal dose of UV. mtDNA can be classified into haplogroups as defined by accumulations of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Safety profiles of anti-VEGF drugs: bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept and ziv-aflibercept on human retinal pigment epithelium cells in culture.

Purpose: To compare the safety profiles of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept and ziv-aflibercept on retinal pigment epithelium cells in culture.

Methods: Human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19) were exposed for 24 h to four anti-VEGF drugs at 1/2×, 1×, 2× and 10× clinical concentrations. Cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential assay were performed to evaluate early apoptotic changes and rate of overall cell death.

Evaluation of corneal changes after myopic LASIK using the Pentacam®.

Background: In this study, we used a Pentacam® device to evaluate the corneal changes that occur after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: Our study included 60 eyes of 32 patients. All patients were treated for myopia and myopic astigmatism using LASIK.

Reproductive health awareness among educated young women in Egypt.

Objective: To assess the awareness of female Egyptian university students regarding reproductive health (RH) issues, and determine the factors contributing to the students' awareness.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, in which 220 female Egyptian university students selected by purposive random sampling were interviewed by means of an in-depth questionnaire. The interviews were private and confidential, and the questions concerned female reproductive anatomy and physiology; sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS; personal preferences, such as age of marriage and spacing between pregnancies; and where young women can access RH care.

Office microlaparoscopic ovarian drilling (OMLOD) versus conventional laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective And Design: This was a prospective controlled study to compare the beneficial effects of office microlaparoscopic ovarian drilling (OMLOD) under augmented local anesthesia, as a new modality treatment option, compared to those following ovarian drilling with the conventional traditional 10-mm laparoscope (laparoscopic ovarian drilling, LOD) under general anesthesia.

Methods: The study included 60 anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent OMLOD (study group) and 60 anovulatory PCOS women, in whom conventional LOD using 10-mm laparoscope under general anesthesia was performed (comparison group). Transvaginal ultrasound scan and blood sampling to measure the serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone and androstenedione were performed before and after the procedure.

The diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography with multiplanar reformatted imaging and virtual cystoscopy in the early detection and evaluation of bladder carcinoma: comparison with conventional cystoscopy.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with multiplanar reformatted imaging and virtual cystoscopy (VC) in early detection and evaluation of bladder masses with comparison with conventional cystoscopic findings.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included 35 patients with suspected bladder cancer were studied by computed tomographic cystography (CTC) and virtual cystography (VC) in both the supine and prone positions after distending the bladder with air. The patient population was divided into three groups based on lesion size at conventional cystoscopy (CC).

Office microlaparoscopic intrafallopian transfer of day one zygote versus day three embryo transfer after previous failed ICSI trials.

The objective of the study was to investigate whether transferring zygotes on day 1 would result in similar pregnancy rates compared to transferring cleavage stage embryos on day 3 in a prospective randomized trial, using the office microlaparoscopic procedure. Patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatments were randomized to either day 1 or day 3 transfers after previous failed ICSI trials due to failed implantation. The primary outcome measure was pregnancy rate.

The relationship between antisperm antibodies prevalence and genital chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with unexplained infertility.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and sperm-associated antibody could impair fertility through various mechanisms. Both factors could be correlated to affect the fertility status of women. A retrospective case-control study was performed enrolling ninety (n = 90) patients with primary or secondary infertility as the case group, in addition to another eighty (n = 80) healthy women attending the family planning clinic to investigate the correlation between C.

The role of ultrasonography in early detection and monitoring of shoulder erosions, and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients; comparison with MRI examination.

Objectives: To determine the accuracy of ultrasound in early detection of bone erosions and monitoring disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a gold standard technique.

Material And Methods: This prospective study was carried out on 50 patients with known RA and 15 healthy controls. Conventional radiography was standardized and performed in two planes.

Assessment of β-human chorionic gonadotropin level as a reliable predictor of tubal patency confirmed with transvaginal ultrasound-guided selective salpingography (TVSSG) following conservative treatment of tubal pregnancy.

Objective: To try putting the β-hCG level as a reliable predictor for tubal patency for women, who had previously undergone expectant treatment or who had received systemic methotrexate injection because of tubal pregnancy, and to simply check their tubal patency using a newly proposed procedure, a transvaginal ultrasound guided selective salpingography (TVSSG).

Methods: One hundred and sixty patients were submitted to TVSSG after tubal pregnancy treatment. TVSSG was subsequently performed in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle after the clinical treatment of tubal pregnancy.

A randomized, double-blind, prospective study of caspofungin vs. amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis in newborn infants.

Background: Caspofungin is an echinocandin agent with fungicidal activity against Candida species.

Objective: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of caspofungin relative to amphotericin B in neonates with invasive candidiasis.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-two neonates with invasive candidiasis were randomly assigned to receive either caspofungin (n = 15) or amphotericin B (n = 17).

Hypothenar hammer syndrome in a computer programmer: CTA diagnosis and surgical and endovascular treatment.

Finger ischemia due to embolic occlusion of digital arteries resulting from trauma to the palmar ulnar artery has been termed hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS). In HHS, arterial thrombosis and/or aneurysm formation with embolization to the digital arteries causes symptoms of ischemia. We describe a patient in whom the initial diagnosis was made on multidetector computed tomographic angiography (CTA), as well as his endovascular and surgical management.

Effect of Er:YAG laser combined with rhPDGF-BB on attachment of cultured fibroblasts to periodontally involved root surfaces.

Background: The use of the erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser in periodontal therapy has been the focus of much research. Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) is suggested as a potent stimulator and strong mitogen for human periodontal ligament cells. The present study tested the direct effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation, alone or with rhPDGF-BB application, on the biocompatibility of periodontally diseased roots through fibroblast attachment and proliferation.

A time-dependent effect of PDGF-BB on adhesion and growth of cultured fibroblasts to root surfaces.

Objective: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) is suggested to be a potent stimulator and a strong mitogenic agent for human periodontal ligament cells (PDL). This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of PDGF-BB application on periodontally diseased root surfaces through attachment and growth of fibroblast cells.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen periodontally involved and five healthy teeth were selected, prepared from proximal surfaces and distributed into four groups (10 specimens per group): I: healthy; II: untreated diseased; III: scaling and root planning (SRP); and IV: SRP and PDGF-BB.

Treatment of human class II furcation defects using connective tissue grafts, bioabsorbable membrane, and resorbable hydroxylapatite: a comparative study.

Objective: To evaluate clinical outcomes and assess digital subtraction radiographic changes after using bioabsorbable membrane (polyglycolic acid/polylactic acid--PGA/PLA) or a connective tissue graft (CTG) as a barrier, with or without resorbable hydroxylapatite (HA Resorb) in the treatment of mandibular class II furcations.

Methods: Fifty furcations in twenty patients with chronic periodontitis were divided into five treatment groups: (I) PGA/PLA; (II) PGA/PLA and resorbable hydroxylapatite; (III) CTG; IV) CTG and resorbable hydroxylapatite; and (V) flap debridement alone (control). Vertical and horizontal probing depths, vertical probing attachment level, gingival recession and standardized periapical radiographs were obtained at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively.