Vol.4 No.4 – 8 : Procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker for neonatal sepsis

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By : Omar A. K. Al-azaowi1, Samir A. Abd El-kaream2, Gihan Hosny1*

1Environmental Health Division, Dept. of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies & Research, Alexandria University, Egypt.

2Dept. of Applied Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background : Sepsis is the most common cause of neonatal mortality. Isolation of bacteria from blood is the most specific and standard method used to diagnose neonatal sepsis. The drawback of culture-based diagnosis is the 24–48 hour assay time. Procalcitonin (PCT) has high specificity and positive predictive values. Thus, the current study was undertaken to investigate the released serum-procalcitonin as a biomarker for predicting neonatal sepsis among newly born infants.  Subjects and Methods: A case-control study design was set in order to perform the underlying work. Forty five neonates were included in this study. Blood samples were collected and processed for laboratory investigations and culture.  Laboratory investigations included complete blood picture, blood culture and PCT. Results: Positive blood cultures were detected in all cases of confirmed sepsis group (100%) and in 66.66% of cases of suspected sepsis group. The ROC curve analysis, used to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin depending on the area under the curves (AUC), showed very high AUC (91.7%) corresponds to a better diagnostic test. The optimum cut off value of PCT (<0.05 ng/ml) was with a corresponding sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 83.33%, a positive predictive value (100%), and a negative predictive value (74.99%). Conclusion: The current findings showed high sensitivity and specificity of PCT test for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. The results so far are very encouraging and may suggest that in the near future the PCT may be used routinely for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and can provide a life-saving approach for newborns.

Procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker for neonatal sepsis-converted (1)

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Vol.4 No.4 – 7 : Factors attributing to obesity among working adults in Egypt

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By ; Mai Sabry Saleh, Eman Essam Shaban, and Nagat Amer

Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Egypt  

Abstract

Obesity is a growing epidemic problem. Many environmental factors at the work place like occupational stress and job satisfaction attribute to obesity either as  cause or consequence. Other seriously contributing factors are of socio-demographic and health-related nature. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between some environmental and health related variables and obesity in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI) among working adults in Egypt. A cross sectional study was carried on a convenient sample of 86 males and females working at the public sector. All participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Falsification of Type quiz, Andrews and Withey test for Job Satisfaction and a sheet for socio-demographic, health and work-related data. Blood samples were obtained and assessments of cortisol, C-reactive protein, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and total thyroxin were done using ELISA technique. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed colorimetrical. BMI and W/H were calculated. Pearson correlation test was performed for statistical analysis. Advanced age, female gender, presence of chronic diseases, presence of mental health problems, increased level of CRP and decreased level of DHEA-S were factors showing significant correlation with increased BMI. In conclusion, extensive study of predictors of obesity is a crucial need among working adults in Egypt.

Factors attributing to obesity among working adults in Egypt-converted (1)

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Vol.4 No.4 – 6 : Biochemical and immunocytochemical studies of the testicular alteration caused by Amitriptyline in adult male rat

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By : Ehab Tousson, Somia Zaki, Ezar Hafez, Amani Gad

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

Abstract

Amitriptyline is one of the first reference tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with sedative and analgesic properties. This study aimed to investigate the testicular indices that influenced by amitriptyline treatment and examined it by biochemical, histological and Immunohistochemical methods. A total of 20 male albino rats were equally divided into two groups: the first was control and the second was amitriptyline intoxicated group. The results of this study showed that amitriptyline consumption significant decrease hormones parameters, increase sperms abnormalities, decrease sperm numbers, induced testicular tissue damage and P53 alterations.

Biochemical and immunocytochemical studies of the testicular alteration caused by Amitriptyline in adult male rat-converted

 

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Vol.4 No.4 – 5 : Qualitative and quantitative characterization of biologically active compounds of red grape (Vitis vinifera) seeds Extract

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 By : Maha Abdulrahman Aldubayan

Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Qassim University, KSA

Abstract

Grape seeds are waste products of the winery and grape juice and are good sources of phytochemicals. The present study aimed to investigate the qualitative and quantitative characterization of Egyptian grape seeds by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), was determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI-QTOF-MS). According to the data compiled, grape (Vitis vinifera) seeds sample presented the highest levels in flavonoids and other compounds such as Carnosol, rosmaridiphenol, rosmadial, rosmarinic acid, and carnosic acid. On the other hand, higher contents in triterpenes were found in the extracts of rosemary. The current results indicate that the ethanolic extract from Egyptian grape seeds possessed radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities where about 17.442 mg GAE/g of total phenols, 6.687 mg CE/g of total flavonoids and 81.506 mg TE/g DPPH as antioxidants activity in grape seeds. grape (Vitis vinifera) seeds is very rich sources of flavonoids and typical compounds of grape seeds, such as Catachine, Gallic acid, Protochatchuic acid and Syrngic acid which are compounds with many biological properties, especially antioxidant. On the other hand, the Qurecetin were highly represented that indicate the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of grape seeds. This aspect should be studied in depth in future research.  

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of biologically active compounds of red grape (Vitis vinifera) seeds Extract-converted

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