Synthesis of (125) I-lamivudine and (125) I-lamivudine-ursodeoxycholic acid codrug.

The preparation of (125) I-lamivudine ((125) I-3TC) and (125) I-lamivudine-ursodeoxycholic acid codrug ((125) I-3TC-UDCA), suitable for comparative biodistribution studies, is described. The synthesis of the unlabeled precursor 3TC-UDCA proceeds in an 11.6% yield, and the radiolabelling yields for (125) I-3TC and (125) I-3TC-UDCA were 89 and 92%, respectively. The final products are radiochemically pure (greater than 98%).

Significance of detecting anti-HBc among Egyptian male blood donors negative for HBsAg.

BACKGROUND: Screening for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) reduces the risk of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. However, the absence of HBsAg in the blood of apparently healthy individuals may not be sufficient to ensure the lack of circulating HBV. Blood containing anti-hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) without detectable presence of HBsAg might be infectious; therefore, screening for anti-HBc has been implemented in some countries resulting in a decrease in the risk of post-transfusion HBV infection. AIM: To study the seroprevalence of anti-HBc. The relationship between anti-HBc positivity and the presence of circulating HBV among healthy blood donors negative for HBsAg will be helpful to decide whether supplemental testing may bring additional safety to blood products. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1026 serum samples collected from HBsAg-negative Egyptian healthy male donors were tested for the presence of anti-HBc (both IgM and IgG types) using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Anti-HBc-positive samples were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction to confirm the presence of HBV DNA. RESULTS: Of the 1026 samples tested, 80 (7·8%) blood samples were found to be reactive to anti-HBc. Of those, HBV DNA was detected in five of the samples (6·25%). The levels of detected viraemia were variable among the five donors. CONCLUSION: This study shows the insufficient effectiveness of HBsAg screening in protecting blood recipients from HBV infection. Inclusion of anti-HBc testing should be considered in the screening of blood donors.

The reproductive conditions and lipid profile in females with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the reproductive conditions in women with epilepsy. METHODS: Eighty-eight women were included; 37.5% and 62.5% had generalized and partial epilepsies, respectively. Ovarian sonogram, reproductive hormone and lipid profiles were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group and in accordance with our laboratory reference values, irregular menses and polycystic ovaries (PCO(s)) were reported in 70.5% and 39.8% versus 21.7% and 16.7% of controls. Abnormalities in leutinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH-to-FSH ratio, testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL) were identified. High values of FSH, LH and FSH-to-LH ratio were common with carbamazepine while that of T and PRL were common in untreated patients and with valproate. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was identified in approximately 59% but neither associated with duration and type of antiepileptic drugs nor patients' age, hormonal profile or PCO(s). Significant correlation was identified between menatrual irregularities, T, PRL, hormonal, lipid profile alterations, PCO(s) and seizure frequency but neither with epilepsy type nor focus. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in our country that aimed at evaluation of reproductive conditions in women with epilepsy. This study indicates that reproductive dysfunction is common, hence, characterization of seizure-associated neuroendocrine adverse effects is important while managing women particularly during choice of antiepileptic medications as initial step and during patients' follow-up.

Therapeutic amnioinfusion for intrapartum fetal distress using a pediatric feeding tube.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of therapeutic amnioinfusion using a pediatric feeding tube in cases of intrapartum fetal distress. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial including 438 women admitted in labor at Assiut University Hospital with nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracing. Using sealed opaque envelopes, the women were randomized to 2 groups. In the amnioinfusion group they underwent transcervical amnioinfusion (1000 mL of warmed sterile saline solution) in addition to conventional treatment. In the control group they received conventional treatment only. The primary outcome was cesarean section rate for fetal distress. The secondary outcomes were neonatal and maternal complications. RESULTS: The amnioinfusion group showed a significant reduction in the rate of cesarean section for fetal distress (relative risk [RR], 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-0.83), and a 30% reduction in abnormal fetal heart rate patterns (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-0.83). Significantly fewer newborns had Apgar scores less than 7 at 1 and 5 min in the amnioinfusion group than in the control group (RR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.26-0.55 and RR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.64, respectively). Significantly fewer newborns had meconium below the vocal cords in the amnioinfusion group than in the control group (RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.13-0.97). Moreover, 14 newborns in the amnioinfusion group needed admission to the intensive care unit vs. 31 newborns in the control group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding the incidence rates of uterine hypertonus and maternal temperature higher than 38 degrees C. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic amnioinfusion is a simple and effective intervention that reduces the rates of cesarean section for intrapartum nonreassuring fetal heart tracing. In under-resourced settings, it can be performed using inexpensive catheters.

Augmentation of coronary conductance in adult sheep made anaemic during fetal life.

Maximal coronary conductance with adenosine in anaemic fetal sheep is twice that of non-anaemic fetuses. To investigate whether this increase in conductance persists into adulthood we studied twin sheep as fetuses and again as adults. Nine anaemic fetuses (118 days gestation) underwent isovolaemic haemorrhage for 18.0 +/- 4.6 days (means +/- S.D.) during which time the haematocrit was reduced from 39.9 +/- 5.2 % to 16.3 +/- 3.4 % and oxygen content from 8.6 +/- 1.3 to 2.3 +/- 0.2 ml dl-1. At 138 days the anaemic fetuses were transfused; at delivery the haematocrit was 29.3 +/- 6.8 % compared to nine control fetuses in which the haematocrit was 38.5 +/- 4.3 %. The weight at delivery was 3.5 +/- 0.36 kg in the anaemic fetuses vs. 4.2 +/- 0.83 kg in controls. Twenty-eight weeks later, we placed an occluder on the descending thoracic aorta and inferior vena cava, a flow probe around the proximal left circumflex coronary artery, and catheters in the left atrial appendage, jugular and carotid vessels. Maximal coronary conductance was determined in the adults by recording coronary blood flow as driving pressure was altered by inflating the occluders while adenosine was infused into the left atrium. Right atrial, left atrial, systolic and mean arterial pressures, systemic vascular resistance and haematocrit were not different between 'in utero anaemic' and control adults. The adults that were anaemic in utero weighed less than the controls 39.4 +/- 4.6 kg vs. 45.0 +/- 5.6 kg. Maximal conductance was greater in the adults that were anaemic in utero: 11.2 +/- 4.0 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1) mmHg-1 as compared to 6.1 +/- 1.8 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1) mmHg(-1) in the controls. Vascular reactivity of the mesenteric arteries was not different. These data suggest that coronary conductance can be modified in utero by anaemia (high flow and hypoxaemia) and that the remodelled coronary tree persists to adulthood.

Spectrophotometric determination of fluoxetine and sertraline using chloranil, 2, 3 dichloro-5, 6 dicyano benzoquinone and iodine.

Spectrophotometric procedures are presented for the determination of two commonly used antidepressant drugs, fluoxetine (I) and sertraline hydrochloride (II). The methods are based mainly on charge transfer complexation reaction of these drugs with either pi acceptors chloranil and 2, 3 dichloro-5, 6-dicyanoquinone (DDQ) or sigma acceptor iodine. The colored products are quantified spectrophotometrically at 550, 450 and 263 nm for fluoxetine and at 450, 455 and 290 nm for sertraline in chloranil, DDQ and iodine methods, respectively. The molar combining ratio and the optimum assay conditions were studied. The methods determine the cited drugs in concentration ranges of 8-640, 16-112 and 7.5-60 microg/ml with mean percentage recoveries of 99.83, 99.76 and 100.00% and R.S.D. of 1.24, 0.95 and 1.13% in fluoxetine and ranges of 16-160, 15-105 and 6-48 microg/ml with mean percentage recoveries of 100.39, 99.78 and 99.69% and R.S.D. of 1.02, 0.81 and 0.57% in sertraline for chloranil, DDQ and iodine methods, respectively. A more detailed investigation of the complex formed was made with respect to its composition, association constant K(AD)c, molar absorptivity xiAD(A) and free energy change deltaG. The proposed methods were applied successfully to the determination of the cited drugs either in pure or dosage forms with good accuracy and precision. The results were compared statistically with those given by the reported methods.

Preliminary study on the use of a silver oxide watch battery (1.5 V) for electrical enhancement of bone healing.

A totally implantable watch battery (1.5 V) having 2 cathodes connected with 2 cortical screws of an osteosynthesis plate and one anode in the adjacent tissues gave positive results when used for enhancement of healing in experimentally fractured model.

Preliminary study of ethylene oxide sterilization of full-thickness cortical allografts used in segmental femoral fracture repair.

Full-thickness canine cortical allografts were cleanly harvested, sterilized with ethylene oxide, and stored at room temperature. The allografts were incorporated into canine segmental femoral fracture repairs and compared clinically, radiographically, and morphologically with control femoral cortical autografts for function of the limb, graft acceptance, and bone union. Sterility was maintained and the cortical allografts were well accepted by the host animals, resulting in full use of the limb which was subjected to surgical operation. The allografts showed healing patterns similar to those of the autografts, as determined by radiographic, gross, and histologic evaluation of the proximal and distal host-graft interfaces. Evaluations were made monthly. The host-graft interfaces of the allografts and autograft were filled with woven bone with adjacent vascular invasion and remodeling of the graft at the final 4th-month evaluation.

Retractor penis myotomy for catheterization in sheep and goats.

Urethral catheterization was successful after retractor penis myotomy in a sheep and a goat, and there were no serious postoperative complications. Sexual behavior and libido were subsequently normal. Tranquilization and epidural nerve block were inadequate for catheterization.

Calf blood extract in treatment of equine foot lesions.

A deproteinized calf blood extract (Solcoseryl: Solco Basle, Ltd, Switzerland) enhanced healing of induced and naturally-occurring lesions in the feet of 30 horses and donkeys.