Genotoxicity linked to occupational exposure in uranium mine workers: Granzyme B and apoptotic changes.

BACKGROUND: Uranium mining and processing are an ancient occupation, recognized as being grueling and accountable for injury and disease. Uranium (U) is a radioactive heavy metal used in many industrial applications. It increases the micronuclei frequencies as well as chromosomal aberration and sister chromatid exchange in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Granzyme B and perforin are stored inside the leukocytes in secretory granules. These proteins are released outside the cells by a cell-to-cell contact under specific conditions for inducing apoptosis. So, this study investigated the potential health hazards with prominence on the biological effects of radiation exposure. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytic research was conducted on Egyptian male mining field workers. Leucocytes' genotoxicity was evaluated using DNA fragmentation assay and comet assay. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of Granzyme B protein was done. RESULTS: A significant increase in dead cells after dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) fluorescent staining in radiation-exposed groups was noticed compared to control groups. Moreover, a significant increase in the fragmented DNA was evident in exposed groups relative to the control one. Granzyme B protein levels showed a significant increase concerning control. CONCLUSION: A wide variety of adverse human health risks are considered a potential risk to Egyptian uranium miners. For employers working in both mining and processing fields, the most common molecular shift highlighted was the leucocyte damage in blood samples. To preserve the health of all employees, health education and administration of effective hazard management procedures are necessary.

Effect of follicular diameter at the time of ovulation triggering on pregnancy outcomes during intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy outcomes when triggering ovulation at different follicle sizes during intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. METHODS: A prospective observational study was undertaken at two collaborative fertility centers in Saudi Arabia between January 2014 and May 2016. Women of any age were enrolled if they met inclusion criteria: primary, secondary, or unexplained infertility (≥1 year); day-2 follicle-stimulating hormone less than 12 IU/mL; normal prolactin, thyroid function, and uterine cavity; at least one patent tube; and a male partner with normal semen count and motility. IUI cycles were subdivided by size of dominant follicle (17 to <18 mm, 18 to <19 mm, 19 to <20 mm, and ≥20 mm), and pregnancy outcomes compared. RESULTS: Data from 516 IUI cycles were analyzed. Frequencies of clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth for a follicle size of 19-20 mm were 30.2% (39/129), 24.0% (31/129), and 24.0% (31/129), respectively; these rates were significantly higher than those in other groups (all P<0.05). Only endometrial thickness was found to also contribute to outcome: probability of pregnancy increased as thickness rose (odds ratio 1.148, 95% confidence interval 1.065-1.237; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal follicular diameter associated with increased pregnancy rates in gonadotropin-stimulated IUI cycles was between 19 and 20 mm.

Development and validation of the Arabic pediatric voice handicap index.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Voice problems negatively affect how children are perceived both by adults and by their peers. Although voice disorders are common in the pediatric population, there is still a lack of information available to clinicians regarding evaluation and treatment of pediatric voice disorders. The purpose of the present study was to develop an Arabic version of pediatric VHI and to test its validity and reliability. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty children with voice disorders were included in the study. The Arabic version of PVHI was derived in the standard way for test translation. The translated version was then administrated to the parents or caregiver of children with voice disorders and parents of 75 children with no history or symptoms of voice problems. Participants' responses were statistically analyzed to assess the validity, and to compare the pathological group with the control group. RESULTS: The results showed high internal consistency and reliability of the Arabic version of PVHI (Cronbach's α=0.93 and r=0.95, respectively), and high item-domain and domain-total correlation (r=0.86-0.97). There was a statistically significant difference between the control and the voice disordered groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of PVHI is considered to be a valid and reliable assessment tool used by the parents and caregivers of children with voice disorders to assess the severity of voice disorders in Arabic language speaking children.

Adrenaline (epinephrine) for the treatment of anaphylaxis with and without shock.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a serious hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Adrenaline is recommended as the initial treatment of choice for anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of adrenaline (epinephrine) in the treatment of anaphylaxis. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2007), EMBASE (1966 to March 2007), CINAHL (1982 to March 2007), BIOSIS (to March 2007), ISI Web of Knowledge (to March 2007) and LILACS (to March 2007). We also searched websites listing ongoing trials: http://clinicaltrials.gov/, http://www.controlledtrials.com and http://www.actr.org.au/; and contacted pharmaceutical companies and international experts in anaphylaxis in an attempt to locate unpublished material. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing adrenaline with no intervention, placebo or other adrenergic agonists were eligible for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed articles for inclusion. MAIN RESULTS: We found no studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on this review, we are unable to make any new recommendations on the use of adrenaline for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Although there is a need for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of high methodological quality in order to define the true extent of benefits from the administration of adrenaline in anaphylaxis, such trials are unlikely to be performed in individuals with anaphylaxis. Indeed, they might be unethical because prompt treatment with adrenaline is deemed to be critically important for survival in anaphylaxis. Also, such studies would be difficult to conduct because anaphylactic episodes usually occur without warning, often in a non-medical setting, and differ in severity both among individuals and from one episode to another in the same individual. Consequently, obtaining baseline measurements and frequent timed measurements might be difficult, or impossible, to obtain. In the absence of appropriate trials, we recommend, albeit on the basis of less than optimal evidence, that adrenaline administration by intramuscular (i.m.) injection should still be regarded as first-line treatment for the management of anaphylaxis.