Risk factors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a case-control study

The Alexandria Cancer Registry in 1992 reported that Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia [ALL] constituted 24.7% of childhood malignancies among male children and 19.2% among female children. This relative high magnitude of ALL in Egypt needs to be studied in depth. The aim is to reveal the different risk factors related to development of the childhood ALL and provide essential data for planning preventive programs. A hospital based case control study was carried out in two hospitals: Alexandria University Children Hospital and School Students Hospital. Data collection was carried using a structured interview schedule. All newly diagnosed cases of ALL during the period from March, 2003 - 31[st] December, 2004 were included in the case series [90 cases]. For each case, two controls were randomly recruited [180] of matched age and sex with ALL cases. The mean age of cases was 4.58 +/- 2.35 years. The ratio of boys to girls was 2.1:1. The final model of multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that first born or only born child and birth weight >/= 3500 gm, consanguinity, fathers' smoking before conception, child exposure to hydrocarbons/benzene, electromagnetic field sources, family history of blood cancers, maternal history of prior fetal losses, some infections, allergies, exposure to radiation or intake of medications during pregnancy, also different childhood diseases all were significant contributing factors that increased risk of ALL, whereas exclusive breast-feeding and early day-care attendance were associated significantly with decreased risk of ALL. The consistency of results of current work with several other research works can support the identification of specific possible risk factors. The research points to specific environmental, social, health and biological factors that need to be addressed. Further research is needed. The data presented in this work can be used to formulate hypotheses

Impact of certain plants and synthetic molluscicides on some fresh water snails and fish

The LC50 [78, 85 ppm] and LC90 [88, 135 ppm] of Anagalis arvensis and calendula micrantha respectively against Biomphalaria alexandrina were higher than those of the non-target snails, Physa acuta, Planorbis planorbis, Helisorna duryi and Melanoides tuberculata. In contrast, the LC50 of Niclosamide [0.11 ppm] and Copper sulphate [CuSo4] [0.42 ppm] against B. alexandrma were lower than those of the non-target snails. The mortalities percentage among non-target snails ranged between 0.0 and 20% when sublethal concentrations of CuSo4 against B. alexandrina mixed with those of C. micrantha and between 0.0 and 40% when mixed with A. arvensis. Mortalities ranged between 0.0 and 50% when Niclosamide was mixed with each of A. arvensis and C. micrantha. A. arvensis induced 100% mortality on Oreochromis niloticus after 48 hrs exposure and after 24 hrs for Gambusia affinis. C. micrantha was non-toxic to the fish. The survival rate of O. niloticus and G. affinis after 48 hrs exposure to 0.11 ppm of Niclosamide were 83.3% and 100% respectively. These rates were 91.7% and 93.3% respectively when each of the two fish species was exposed to 0.42 ppm of CuSo4. Mixture of sub-lethal concentrations of A. arvensis against B. alexandrina and those of Niclosamide or CuSo4 at ratios 10:40 and 25:25 induced 66.6% mortalities on O. niloticus and 83.3% at 40: 10. These mixtures caused 100% mortalities on G. affinis at all ratios. A. arvensis CuSo4 mixtures at 10:40 induced 83.3% and 40% mortalities on O. niloticus and G. affinis respectively and 100% mortalities on both fish species at ratios 25:25 and 40:10. A mixture of sub-lethal concentrations of C. micrantha against B. alexandrina and of Niclosamide or CuSo4 caused mortalities of O. niloticus between 0.0 and 33.3% and between 5% and 35% of G. affinis. The residue of Cu in O. niloticus were 4.69, 19.06 and 25.37 mg/ l kgm fish after 24, 48 and 72 hrs exposure to LC0 of CuSO4 against B. alexandrina respectively

Epidemiological aspects of infectious skin diseases among pupils enrolled in primary schools in Alexandria

A cross sectional study was chosen, pupils in the first and second grades of the primary governmental and private schools were the target population. By stratified sample technique, nine schools were selected randomly. Pupils were examined [n=925] and the prevalence rates of infectious skin diseases were calculated [n=426]. These children were compared to pupils free from the diseases [n=499]. The results of this study revealed high prevalence of infectious skin diseases [46.05%]. Pediculosis capitis was the main category of this group affecting the pupils aged six and seven years and enrolled in the first and second grades. This group of diseases affected more females and the first grade than the second grade pupils. Significant relationships are observed between the prevalence of infectious skin diseases, and low socioeconomic background. It is higher among pupils having illiterate parents, working mothers and of lower income percapita who lived in overcrowded house

reproductive norms of post partum Jordanian women attending maternal and child health centres and midwifery hospitals private and governmental in Amman: Part I Actual versus ideal norms of reproduction

The aim of the study is to reveal the actual and ideal norms of reproduction of post partum women and to see how far they were correlated. A random sample of 400 post partum women who delivered in hospitals and MCH centres were included. Data was obtained through the use of structured interview. The study revealed that the mean actual age of marriage was 19.7 +/- 3.2 years. The ideal age at marriage however was significantly older than the actual age [21.3 +/- 2.8 years] where t=7.5. The mean age of first pregnancy was 20.3 +/- 3.4 years, the mean ideal age however was significantly older [21.8 +/- 2.6 years] where t = 6.82. There is a positive correlation between the ideal stated and actual spacing carried out r= +1.18. The ideal number of children was significantly lower than their actual number. The average actual 4.2 +/- 2.8 children. The average ideal number of children was significantly less than the actual [2.7 +/- 1.3] where t=10.0. There was a low positive correlation between the actual and ideal number of living children. We can conclude that there was a difference between the actuals and the ideals of reproduction and the differences were statistically significant

Epidemiology of neurotic disorders among Alexandria University students

All neurotic patients who attended the Alexandria University Students Hospital during the scholastic year [1978-79] were considered as the index sample. The control group was obtained by random sample from the students attending E.N.T. and Ophthalmic clinic. The present study indicated that neurotic traits during childhood were more stated by index cases than control [X[2][1]=125.49]. They were more likely to suffer from nocturnal enuresis, stummering and nail biting than their control. The latter were more likely to be either hyperactive or very calm [X[2][5]=63.1907]. They were less likely to have friends [Z=6.3929] and if they had, they were fewer in number compared to their control [t=6.80]. Moreover, they tended more to have no hobbies [X[2][1]=13.0660]. These who had hobbies, preferred reading while control were more likely to be involved in sports [X[2][3]=22.3118]. Neurotics were more likely to have a total score suggesting a premorbid character in the six items than their control [X[2][5]=26.8488]. Their score significantly differed from control in worriners [t=7.7966], suspiciousness [t=2.16], mood swing [t=7.46] and sensitivity [t=9.25]

Epidemiologic features of breast cancer A retrospective study 1 the odd risk of the upper socioeconomic group for cancer breast

The index sample was female patients who attended the Alexandria University Main Hospital at the surgical and radiotherapy departments as well as the medical Research Institute during the year 1982-1983 [n=174]. The control group included 171 patients from the same hospitals thouroughly examined to exclude the presence of breast lump. The aim of this work is to study the effect of education and occupation of women on breast cancer risk. The study revealed that B.C. risk was significantly higher among educated working women, where the odd ratio was three times higher for working status than for education

reproductive norms of postpartum Jordanian women attending maternal and child health centres and midwifery hospitals: private and governmental in Amman

The aim of the present study is to reveal the ideal norms of reproduction of post partum Jordanian women and to find out how far such norms are related to selected sociobiological variables. A random sample of 400 post partum women who delivered in hospitals and MCH centers. Data was obtained through the use of structured interview. The study showed that most of ideals of reproduction are within the acceptable ranges. It was found that the ideal age for marriage [21.3 +/- 2.8 years]. The ideal age for getting the first baby was also reasonable [21.8 +/- 2.6 years] and the interpregnancy interval was specified to be [2.18 +/- 0.53 years]. Moreover women stated that the age for last pregnancy is [38 +/- 3.44 years] and the average number of children that the family should have, would be [2.7 +/- 1.3 children]. It was also found that education, occupation, place of delivery and number of children has significant relation to most of the ideals of reproduction. Although the ideals of reproduction are within the acceptable ranges, however this does not guarantee a change in behavior among women in relation to these variables. This is because women in the developing world are not the decision makers in most instances

Epidemiological features of breast cancer A retrospective study Part II: the odd risk of marital status and reproductive patterns

Retrospective case control study was chosen as the method of the study for this work. The index sample was female patients who attended the Alexandria University Main Hospital at the Surgical and Radiotherapy department as well as the medical Research Institute during the year 1982-1983 [n=174]. The control group included 171 patients from the same hospital thoroughly examined to exclude the presence of breast lump. The aim of this work is to reveal the effect of the reproductive pattern including marital status, pregnancy differentials and the outcome of pregnancy on the breast cancer. The result of this study revealed that only the age of mother at conception and the occurrence of abortion are significantly related to breast cancer

Evaluation of steps carried out in handling vaccines at the regional district and local levels in Alexandria Governorate

A checklist was used to evaluate the various steps in storing, transporting and handling the compulsory vaccines in the regional store and the four districts store in Alexandria. A health office and/or maternal and Child Health Center randomly chosen from each district and one rural health unit were selected at random. The present study revealed the inadequacy of handling of vaccines. At the regional level, the stacking, care of refrigerator and arrival and departure procedures were not as recommended. Man power lacked the skills in handling these delicate biological products. All personnel involved in the cold chain have a written manual, and instructions as regards vaccines handling

Epidemiology of neurotic disorders among Alexandria University students: a case history study; Part I: Personal and social characteristics

The index sample was all neurotic patients who attended the Alexandria University Students Hospital during the scholastic year 1978-79 [n=300]. The control group was chosen at random from students thudding ENT and Ophthalmic Clinics [n=300]. The aim of this work is to study the personal, medical and socio-economic aspects of neurotic disorders among University Students attending the University Student Hospital. The study reveals the following: - The mean age of student in the index sample was significantly elder than that for their control. - Male were more encountered in the index than the control. - Neurotic students tended to be more from rural areas. - The mean age of the student's father and mother in the index sample was significantly elder than the control. - Neurotic students' parents were more likely to be illiterate than educated and working as semi-skilled workers. - The parent relation of neurotic students tended to be rated as bad or very bad compared to their control. The mean family size of index sample was larger than the control sample. - More members of index sample stated a positive history of physical illness and positive family psychiatric disorder history

Experimental study to the influence of halothane or enflurane on lymph flow in dogs

Lymph flow, mean arterial femoral pressure and heart rate were investigated in 20 dogs divided into 2 equal groups anaesthetized with 1% halothane or 2.5% enflurane and artificially ventilated with 100% oxygen. Lymph was collected from the thoracic duct which was cannulated at the root of the neck. After 60 minutes, lymph flow decreased 54% in halothane group and 61% in enflurane group. Also, MAP and HR were significantly decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two studied groups in lymph flow, MAP and HR. Thirty minutes after discontinuation of halothane or enflurane, lymph flow and heart rate returned to control values while MAP was lower than the control. We concluded that halothane or enflurane anaesthesia decreased lymph flow in a time dependent manner and returned to normal after discontinuation of anaesthesia. This may be of clinical value in anaesthesia of patients with trauma, burns, left sided heart failure or bilharziasis with portal hypertension

Experimental study to the influence of fentanyl on the haemodynamic effects of propofol in dogs

The effects of propofol alone and in combination with fentanyl on heart rate, systolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, femoral artery resistance and coronary blood flow were investigated in 10 dogs. Propofol injected in a dose of 2 mg/Kg followed by an infusion [100 ug/Kg/min] caused significant decreases in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, femoral artery resistance, coronary blood flow and a significant increase in central venous pressure [P< 0.05]. When fentanyl was added in a dose of 5 ug/Kg it caused further significant decreases in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, femoral artery resistance and coronary blood flow [P< 0.05] without a further significant change in central venous pressure [P> 0.05]. This cardiovascular depressant effect of propofol that is accentuated with fentanyl must be born in mind when this drug is being used alone or in combination with fentanyl in clinical practice

Sociodemographic determinations of management behavior of diabetic patients attending a diabetic clinic in Alexandria Part III: relation between diabetics' sociodemographic background and health belief model variables

The present work aimed to study the relation between the patient's health beliefs, the psychological perception and the demographic variables. The same subjects and methods applied in part I and II were adopted. It was found that a minority [1.7%] had a weak overall perceived susceptibility. It was indicated that a significant relation was observed between gender and exposure to external cues to action, where females were more likely to be exposed than males to external cues to action. A statistical significant linear association was observed between the education of diabetics and exposure to external cues to action. Diabetics without any educational certificates were more likely to be exposed to external cues to action

Analysis of markers of cytotoxicitty and apoptosis in HCV

To determine the role of CD8+ T-cell responses and apoptosis in mediating liver injury in chronic hepatitis C, an analysis of cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell and apoptosis markers was performed in 70 patients with proven chronic hepatitis C and 30 controls. CD8+ T-cell responses to a panel of HCV proteins and peptides were performed in an Elispot assay. Apoptosis was detected by peripheral expression of Fas, Fas ligand and perforin as well as apoptosis of hepatocytes was also detected using transferase-mediated immunohistochemical d-UTP biotin nick labeling [TUNEL] and flowcytometry. Cytotoxic HLA A2 restricted responses were detected in 54 patients. The expression of Fas antigen, Fas ligand and perforin was significantly increased in patients compared with the control subjects. Immunohistochemical intracytoplasmic Fas expression and the apoptosis index of hepatocytes directly correlated to the necroinflammatory activity in the liver. A direct significant correlation was detected between the CD8+ T-cell responses and the apoptosis index. These results indicated that HCV- specific CD8+ T-cell responses and apoptosis can be detected in the majority of patients with chronic HCV and liver injury in chronic HCV is mediated through these responses