Evaluation of hoffer Q formula in short and long axial lengths

Evaluation of The accuracy of Hoffer Q formula for intraocular lens [IOL] power calculation in short and long axial lengths of the eye. 100 eyes divided equally into 2 groups: group 1 [50 eyes] with axial length more than 24.5 and group II [50 eyes] with axial length more less than 22. Comparison between both groups was done as regards post operative residual refractive error after IOL implantation using Hoffer Q formula. Insignificant difference between the 2 groups as regard post operative residual refractive error. In short length eyes, the mean postoperative refractive error with Hoffer Q formula was 0.80 +0.33D. In long eyes, the mean postoperative refractive error was 1.23 +0.70D. The results show that the best performing formula was in short eyes [P = 0.012]. Insignificant difference as regards postoperative residual refractive error between both groups but Hoffer Q formula best performed in short eyes

Plasma met-enkephalin, beta-endorphin and leu-enkephalin levels in human hepatic encephalopathy

To address the role of the opioid system in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy [HE] we measured plasma met- enkephalin, beta -endorphin and leu- enkephalin in patients with different grades of HE compared to control subjects and patients with cirrhosis. Plasma met- enkephalin levels were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis and all grades of HE than controls. Plasma beta levels were similar in the 3 groups. Plasma leu- enkephalin levels were significantly higher -endorphin in HE grades II, III and IV than in controls, patients with cirrhosis and HE grade I patients. Our results support data on the involvement of met- enkephalin and leu- enkephalin in the pathogenesis of HE and provide a rationale for the use of opioid receptor antagonists in the treatment of HE

Serum levels of astroglial S100-beta and neuron-specific enolase in hepatic encephalopathy patients

To find a reliable, noninvasive method for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic cirrhosis we measured serum levels of astroglial S100beta and neuron-specific enolase in cirrhotic patients with and without hepatic encephalopathy [HE]. S100beta levels showed a significant increase in groups with HE stage 1 and 2 compared to both control and cirrhosis patients. However serum neuron-specific enolase levels were not significantly different between the studied groups. S100beta levels had a specificity of 91.3% and sensitivity of 51.7% for detection of HE from cirrhosis. Serum S100beta may be a useful surrogate marker for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment in cirrhotic patients before they progress to more advanced stages of HE

Comparative ultrastructural analysis of PBMCs isolated from patients with chronic hepatitis C and B: insights into the clinical outcome

Differences between chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infections have been established in incidence percentage and course of development of chronic liver disease as well as lymphoproliferative disorders. Lymphotropism has been regarded as one factor underlying persistence and chronicity of both diseases. However, this could not explain the variation in their clinical outcome which could be elucidated by a comparative study of the differential morphological behaviour of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] harbouring the virus. An ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy [TEM] was hence performed on PBMCs isolated from patients with chronic HCV and HBV infections and from healthy subjects as controls. In this work, a morphological difference at the ultrastructural level was demonstrated in the PBMCs isolated from HCV and HBV- infected patients. Whereas minimal nuclear and cytoplasmic alterations and few intact forms of the virus were seen in hepatitis C patients, more aggressive degenerative and apoptotic features as well as more viral particles were viewed in cells of hepatitis B patients. These findings imply latency and quiescence of HCV in PBMCs leading to a state of chronic infection in most of the cases but with a very insidious course of progression towards cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. In addition, stimulation and expansion of B cells could lead to various lymphoproliferative disorders. In the case of HBV infections, there is an earlier and more destructive effect of the virus on the infected cells which helps their rapid eradication with less propensity to persistence in the majority of cases. However in those patients where infection persists [possibly with lower immune response], chronicity could develop with rapid progression to cirrhosis due to the release of many viral particles from the uneliminated damaged PBMCs

Risk Factors, subtypes and outcome of ischaemic stroke in Kuwait - A hospital-based study

To report on stroke subtypes, associated risk factors and outcome in Kuwait. The records of 62 patients [30 male, 32 female] admitted with diagnosis of stroke to Kuwait Oil Company Hospital, Kuwait, a tertiary care hospital, during a 5-year period [1995-1999], were retrospectively reviewed. Small artery infarction was the most common subtype and occurred in 37 subjects [59.7%]; less common were atherosclerotic large artery strokes [19 patients, 30.6%] and strokes of cardio-embolic origin [6 patients, 9.7%]. Identifiable risk factors or associated morbidities were hypertension [72.5%], diabetes mellitus [69.4%], ischaemic heart disease [14.5%], history of migraine [8.1%], lone atrial fibrillation [5.0%], and valvular heart disease [1.6%]. The most important determinants of a deleterious 30-day outcome, as indicated by severe disability or death, were female gender, lack of use of anti-platelet drugs, presence of a large artery infarction stroke subtype, and cardio-embolic stroke. Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes is high among patients with stroke in Kuwait, with rates higher than those found in any previous reports from the Gulf region. Two unusual observations were that women had a rather high frequency of stroke, and infarction of the small artery was more common than that of the large artery. Outcome, as indicated by severe disability or death, was worse among women, elderly patients, and those with large artery atherosclerotic and cardio-embolic strokes. There is some evidence that such a deleterious outcome might be ameliorated with use of anti-platelet drugs

Endovaginal ultrasonographic cervical measurements after prophylactic cerclage as predictor of obstetric outcome

The purpose of this study was to determine which if any of the post elective cervical cerclage measurements was predicitive of pregnancy outcome. A prospective observational study including 30 patients with singleton pregnancies diagnosed as having cervical incompetence was done. They underwent MacDonald cerclage and the cervix was assessed perioperatively using transvaginal ultrasound. Zagazig University Hospital. Obstetrics and Gynecology department. A negative correlation was noted between funnel length, funnel width, cervical index and the pregnancy prolongation after cerclage operation. The initial cervical length can no longer be used as a predictive of pregnancy prolongation after cerclage instead other measurements as funnel length or cervical index was noted to be more useful for patient counseling

Local use of prostaglandin [E2] derivative in termination of pregnancy after 14 weeks gestational age

This work was done on 90 patients in two groups. The first group consisted of 20 patients for induction of mid-trimester abortion. Exatra amniotic prostin E[2] Successtully terminetol the pergnancy in 90% of cases. Side effects were infrequent and tolerable, no genital tract injury was recorded and the amount of blood loss was average. The second group: consisted of 70 patients for induction of labor for variable indications. Prostin [E][2] vaginal tablets were used. Oxytocin was used to augment or expedite labor whenever necessary. This regimen proved very effective and no single case of failure was observed. The details are presented in the study

Antisperm antibodies in infertile couples incidence and indications for testing

Sperm antibodies were evaluated in the serum and cervical mucus of 55 infertile couples using the ELISA and slide test. 20 couples with poor PCT, 15 couples with normal PCT and 20 couples with abnormal semen analysis. In the first two groups, semen analysis was normal, the incidence of sperm antibodies was 25%, 6.6% in men and 40%, 20% in women, with poor and normal PCT respectively [statistically non- significant difference]. This suggests that sperm antibody testing is equally indicated in infertile couples with poor PCT and also those with unexplained infertility and positive PCT. 15% of men with abnormal semen were positive for sperm antibodies, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of sperm antibodies in men with poor semen pictures and those with normal semen in this infertile population. This suggests the significance of antibody testing in infertile men with abnormal and normal semen pictures after correcting other infertility factors. Cervical mucus was positive for sperm antibodies in 29.1% of cases, appearance of antibodies in cervical mucus was not related to their presence in circulation. Sperm antibodies should be looked for in females and males, both systemically and locally

Evaluation of ultrasonography for birth weight estimation

Sonographic estimation of fetal weight in utero was performed in 120 liveborn fetuses examined within one week before delivery using three different sonographic models. Regression models were based on measurements of abdominal circumference, head circumference, biparietal diameter and femur length. Our sonographic study confirms that the addition of femur length to head and abdominal measurements increases the accuracy of in-utero weight estimates and the head circumference is a better index of head size than the biparietal diameter. We recommend routine use of such models based on head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length in obstetric sonography