Showing papers by "Cairo University published in 2006"
TL;DR: The obvious task ahead for health authorities in the developing world is to detect and treat kidney disease at the earliest possible stage, writes Dr. Rashad Barsoum.
Abstract: Some 85 percent of the world's population lives in low-income or middle-income countries, where the clinical, epidemiologic, and socioeconomic effects of kidney disease are expected to be the greatest. Dr. Rashad Barsoum writes that the obvious task ahead for health authorities in the developing world is to detect and treat the disease at the earliest possible stage.
462 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the strategic decision-making process literature with respect to the synoptic formalism/political incrementalism debate is presented, and a number of areas have been identified which could profitably be examined further.
Abstract: This paper reviews the strategic decision-making process literature with respect to the synoptic formalism/political incrementalism debate. Procedural rationality is chosen as a representative of the synoptic formalism perspective; and both intuitive synthesis and political behaviour are employed as representatives of the political-incrementalism perspective. In this paper, the author discusses the theoretical underpinnings of these three process dimensions, as well as the key research efforts gathered together under each perspective. In conducting this review, a number of areas have been identified which could profitably be examined further, and a number of implications for managers will be highlighted and discussed.
369 citations
TL;DR: To provide a comprehensive chemical profile of bacterial volatiles emitted from these biologically active strains, headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with software extraction of overlapping GC-separated components was employed.
335 citations
TL;DR: This review compares the efficacy of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists with the standard long protocol of GnRH agonists for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in assisted conception with the new fixed GnRH antagonist protocol.
Abstract: Background
Over the last two decades, a long protocol of Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) to prevent premature LH surges has been the standard treatment for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction. In the long protocols (with GnRHa started either in the mid luteal phase or in the early follicular phase of the preceding cycle) gonadotrophin administration is delayed until pituitary desensitization has been achieved, which usually takes two to three weeks. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists produce immediate suppression of gonadotrophin secretion, hence, they can be given after starting gonadotrophin administration. This will result in dramatic reduction in the duration of treatment cycle and will avoid estrogen deprivation symptoms associated with GnRH agonist induced down-regulation. Assuming comparable clinical outcome, these benefits would justify a change from the standard long protocol of GnRH agonists to the new GnRH antagonist regimens.
Objectives
To compare the efficacy of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists with the standard long protocol of GnRH agonists for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in assisted conception.
Search strategy
Search strategies included on-line searching of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group's Specialised Register from 1982 to 2001, and hand searching of bibliographies of relevant publications and reviews, and abstracts of scientific meetings.
Selection criteria
Only randomised controlled studies comparing different protocols of GnRH antagonists with GnRH agonists in assisted conception cycles were included in this review.
Data collection and analysis
Data were extracted into two by two tables. For the primary outcomes, clinical pregnancy per woman randomised and prevention of premature LH surge, the overall common odds ratio (OR) and the risk difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated after verifying the presence of homogeneity of treatment effect across all trials. Secondary outcomes considered were the number of oocytes retrieved, clinical pregnancy per oocyte retrieval and per embryo transfer, spontaneous abortion, incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and the amount of gonadotrophins used. Where relevant data were missing or unclear the authors were consulted.
Main results
Five trials comparing the new fixed protocol of GnRH antagonist to the long protocol of GnRH agonist fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. In four studies, the multiple low-dose (0.25 mg) antagonist regimen was applied and in one study, the single high-dose (3 mg) antagonist regimen was investigated. In all trials, reference treatment included a long protocol of GnRHa (buserelin, leuprorelin or triptorelin) starting in the mid-luteal phase of the preceding cycle. In comparison to the long protocol of GnRHa, the overall OR for the prevention of premature LH surges was 1.76 (95% CI 0.75, 4.16), which is not statistically significant. There was a significantly fewer clinical pregnancies in those treated with GnRH antagonists (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63, 0.99). The absolute treatment effect (ATE) was calculated to be 5%. The number needed to treat (NNT) was 20. There was no statistically significant reduction in incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.22, 1.18) using antagonist regimens as compared to the long GnRHa protocol.
Authors' conclusions
The new fixed GnRH antagonist protocol (i.e. with antagonist start fixed on day six of gonadotrophin stimulation) is a short and simple protocol but with a lower pregnancy rate compared to the GnRH agonist long protocol. There is no significant difference between both protocols regarding prevention of premature LH surge and prevention of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The clinical outcome may be further improved by developing more flexible antagonist regimens taking into account individual patient characteristics. The GnRH antagonist flexible regimen should be the area of research in the near future.
237 citations
TL;DR: The newly synthesized compounds were found to possess anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory activities with the same mechanism of action of selective COX-2 inhibitors.
225 citations
TL;DR: It has been found that the TUCS is a much better fungicidal agent (about 60 times more) than the pure CS against most of the fungal strains tested.
216 citations
TL;DR: These newly synthesized compounds show generally a moderate molluscicidal activity to Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.
Abstract: 2-(3-Hydroxy-5,5-dimethylcyclohexylidene)malononitrile 5 undergoes an azo coupling reaction with aryldiazonium salts to afford 3-amino-2-aryl-6,6-dimethyl-8-oxo-2,6,7,8-tetrahydrocinnoline-4-carbonitriles 7. Upon reflux in acetic acid, these compounds were acetylated to give the cinnoline derivatives 9. The pyrazolones 10a, b react with 3-furfurylidene- and 3-thienylidene-malononitrile derivatives 11a, b to afford the pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives 13a-d. These newly synthesized compounds show generally a moderate molluscicidal activity to Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.
209 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of lecithin:cholesterol molar ratio on the percentage drug encapsulated was investigated and the influence of fluctuating the amount of added drug was also determined.
207 citations
TL;DR: The results revealed that the trivalent chromium is significantly adsorbed on activated carbon collected from sugar industry as waste products and the method could be used economically as an efficient technique for removal of Cr(III) and purification of tannery wastewaters.
196 citations
TL;DR: Whether or not antioxidants can alter the course of vascular complications in diabetic patients and animal models is reviewed and a possible beneficial effect of antioxidants might present a new addition to the range of secondary preventive measures used in diabetes patients.
Abstract: Diabetes represents a serious risk factor for the development of cardiovascular problems such as coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, hypertension, stroke, cardiomyopathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. Identifying the pathogenesis of this increased risk provides a basis for secondary intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia and protein glycation, increased inflammation, a prothrombotic state and endothelial dysfunction have all been implicated as possible mechanisms for such complications. A linking element between many of these phenomena could possibly be, among other factors, increased production of reactive oxygen species. Vascular endothelial cells have several physiological actions that are essential for the normal function of the cardiovascular system. These include the production of nitric oxide (NO), which regulates vasodilatation, anticoagulation, leukocyte adhesion, smooth muscle proliferation and the antioxidative capacity of endothelial cells. However, under conditions of hyperglycemia, excessive amounts of superoxide radicals are produced inside vascular cells and this can interfere with NO production leading to the possible complications. This article aims at reviewing the links between reactive oxygen species, diabetes and vascular disease and whether or not antioxidants can alter the course of vascular complications in diabetic patients and animal models. A possible beneficial effect of antioxidants might present a new addition to the range of secondary preventive measures used in diabetic patients.
194 citations
TL;DR: A tridimensional array of high-resolution bulk-petrography and heavy-mineral data was obtained on both levee (suspended load) and bar (bedload) deposits, analysed separately for each grain-size subclass at 0.5Φ intervals as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: In this article, the corrosion inhibition of Cu-Ni alloys was investigated in aqueous chloride solutions using amino acids as environmentally safe materials. And the experimental results have shown that a simple amino acid like glycine can be used as efficient corrosion inhibitor for the Cu-ni alloys in neutral chloride solutions.
TL;DR: The present work constitutes a guided tour through the mathematics needed for a proper understanding of E -infinity theory as applied to high energy physics and quantum gravity as mentioned in this paper, with a focus on high energy systems.
Abstract: The present work constitutes a guided tour through the mathematics needed for a proper understanding of E -infinity theory as applied to high energy physics and quantum gravity.
TL;DR: Examination of pregnant women in the Nile Delta in Egypt confirms Egypt's high HEV endemicity and shows that almost all women of childbearing age in these communities had prior HEV exposures without a history of liver disease.
Abstract: Summary The epidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV), an enterically-transmitted cause of acute viral hepatitis (AVH), is not fully understood. During outbreaks on the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere, HEV causes severe AVH with mortality rates around 20% during pregnancy. In Egypt, where prevalence of HEV antibodies (anti-HEV) in rural communities is very high, severe HEV-caused AVH in pregnant women has not been reported. This study examined a cohort of 2428 pregnant women in the Nile Delta to assess prevalence of, and risk factors for, anti-HEV and correlated these with history of liver disease. Anti-HEV prevalence was 84.3%. Several risk factors associated with anti-HEV included older age, many siblings, not using soap to wash produce and frequent contact with cats. History of jaundice and liver disease was rare and not increased in those having anti-HEV. Our results confirm Egypt's high HEV endemicity and show that almost all women of childbearing age in these communities had prior HEV exposures without a history of liver disease. Reasons for the lack of clinical hepatitis remain unclear but could be the result of early childhood HEV exposures, producing long-lasting immunity and/or modify subsequent responses to exposure. Alternatively, the predominant HEV strain(s) in Egypt are less virulent than those in South Asia.
TL;DR: A 3-day course of nitazoxanide significantly reduced the duration of rotavirus disease in hospitalised paediatric patients, and might lead us to think about new approaches to managing rotav virus disease in children.
TL;DR: Pure MVD offers patients affected by Trigeminal Neuralgia due to vascular compression a long-lasting cure in three-fourths of the cases, view in contrast to the classical view that an atypical presentation has an adverse effect on outcome after surgery.
Abstract: Background. Few publications on primary Trigeminal Neuralgia treated by Micro-Vascular Decompression (MVD) report large series, with long-term follow-up, using Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis. None was specifically directed to the comparative study of MVD effectiveness on Trigeminal Neuralgia with typical (i.e., with paroxysmal pain only) and atypical features (i.e., with association of a permanent background of pain).
TL;DR: In this paper, the electron density in a laser produced plasma experiment was measured utilizing the Stark broadening of the H α -line at 656.27nm, which is a well isolated line, it gives large signal to background ratio, its Stark width is relatively large and does not exhibit self-absorption.
TL;DR: In conclusion, intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion attenuated the hemodynamic and neuroendocrinal response to surgical trauma and cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric patients undergoing corrective surgery for congenital heart disease.
Abstract: We tested dexmedetomidine, an α2 agonist, for its ability to decrease heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and neuroendocrinal responses during pediatric cardiac surgery. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, 30 pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery were randomly assigned to one of t
TL;DR: A new genetic algorithm (GA) approach for the integrated inventory distribution problem (IIDP) is introduced and a randomized version of a previously developed construction heuristic is used to generate the initial random population.
Abstract: We introduce a new genetic algorithm (GA) approach for the integrated inventory distribution problem (IIDP). We present the developed genetic representation and use a randomized version of a previously developed construction heuristic to generate the initial random population. We design suitable crossover and mutation operators for the GA improvement phase. The comparison of results shows the significance of the designed GA over the construction heuristic and demonstrates the capability of reaching solutions within 20% of the optimum on sets of randomly generated test problems.
TL;DR: The consistent restoration of abductor muscle strength combined with the low morbidity and high durability support the use of allograft-prosthetic composite reconstruction in patients with long life expectancy.
Abstract: Reconstruction of the proximal femur after tumor resection can be achieved with either an endoprosthesis or an allograft-prosthetic composite. We compared the two modalities for complications, functional outcome, and construct survival. We retrospectively analyzed 52 patients with endoprostheses and
TL;DR: The introduced silymarin hybrid liposomes produced a significant decrease in both transaminase levels when challenged with CCl(4) (intraperitonially) in comparison with orally administered sily marin suspension, and this improvement was also confirmed histopathologically.
TL;DR: In this article, the results of some recent investigations on two types of bismuth-modified carbon paste electrodes are presented, which operate in situ and employed in anodic stripping voltammetry of Cd(II) and Pb(II), at the low μg L−1 level.
Abstract: In this article, the results of some recent investigations on two types of bismuth-modified carbon paste electrodes are presented. In the first study, the bismuth-film carbon paste electrode (BiF-CPE) operated in situ and employed in anodic stripping voltammetry of Cd(II) and Pb(II) at the low μg L−1 level was of interest in view of choosing the proper Bi(III)-to-Me(II) concentration ratios (where Me: Pb or Cd). Such optimization has resulted in significant improvement of detection limits down to 1.0 μg L−1 Cd and 0.8 μg L−1 for Pb, which allowed us to apply the BiF-CPE for analysis of selected real samples of tap and sea water. The BiF-CPE was also further investigated for its application in highly alkaline media. In this case, attention was focused on the complex-forming capabilities of the OH – ions and their effect on the anodic stripping characteristics of some heavy metals (i.e. Cd, Pb, Tl) as well as upon the formation of the bismuth film itself. The last example deals with the continuing characterization of the recently introduced carbon paste electrodes modified with bismuth powder (Bi-CPEs) which combine the advantageous properties of carbon paste material with the favorable electrochemical properties of bismuth. Three series of electrodes, differing either in the content of metallic bismuth (from 8 to 50% w/w) or in the type of the carbon powder used (two spectroscopic types of graphite and powdered glassy carbon), were compared and the respective relations to the optimal carbon paste composition evaluated. Attractive electroanalytical performance of the Bi-CPE in anodic stripping voltammetry is demonstrated for selected model mixtures of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Tl, and In).
TL;DR: Findings show that a 3-day course of nitazoxanide is effective in treating diarrhea and enteritis caused by Cryptosporidium in nonimmunodeficient patients 12 years of age and older.
TL;DR: In this paper, a Lagrangian and an invariant variational principle for two coupled nonlinear ordinal differential equations describing the nonlinear evolution of the stagnation line instability with arbitrary polarization are given.
Abstract: The nonlinear evolution
of the kink instability of a plasma
with an elliptic magnetic stagnation line is studied by means
of an amplitude expansion of the ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations.
Wahlberg et al. [12] have shown that, near marginal stability,
the nonlinear evolution of the stability can be described in terms
of a two-dimensional potential U(X,Y), where X and Y represent
the amplitudes of the perturbations with positive and negative
helical polarization. The potential U(X,Y) is found to be nonlinearly
stabilizing for all values of the polarization. In our paper a Lagrangian
and an invariant variational principle for two coupled nonlinear ordinal
differential equations describing the nonlinear evolution of the stagnation
line instability with arbitrary polarization are given. Using a trial function
in a rectangular box we find the functional integral. The general case for
the two box potential can be obtained on the basis of a different ansatz
where we approximate the Jost function by polynomials of order n instead
of a piecewise linear function. An example for the second order is
given to illustrate the general case. Some considerations concerning
solar filaments and filament bands (circular or straight) are
indicated as possible applications besides laboratory experiments
with cusp geometry corresponding to quadripolar cusp geometries for
some clouds and thunderstorms.
TL;DR: The activity data show that the metal complexes to be more potent/antibacterial than the parent organic ligands against one or more bacterial species.
TL;DR: Compound 4f was established to be the best effectively prepared anti-inflammatory active pyrazoline derivative and safer than indomethacin with respect to its ulcerogenic liability.
TL;DR: The nerve stimulator‐guided occipital nerve blockade significantly relieved cervicogenic headache and associated symptoms at two weeks following injection.
Abstract: Cervicogenic headache is a chronic hemicranial pain, usually occurring daily. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of nerve stimulator-guided occipital nerve blockade in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. The reduction in analgesic consumption was the primary outcome measure. Fifty adult patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache were randomly divided into two equal groups of 25 patients each. All patients in both groups received greater and lesser occipital blocks, whereas only 16 patients in each group received facial nerve blockade in association with the occipital blocks. The control group received injections of an equivalent volume of preservative-free normal saline. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Total Pain Index (TPI). Forty-seven patients entered into the final analysis as three patients were lost to follow-up. Anesthetic block was effective in reducing the VAS and the TPI by approximately 50% from baseline values (P = 0.0001). Analgesic consumption, duration of headache and its frequency, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, decreased appetite, and limitations in functional activities were significantly less in block group compared to control group (P < 0.05). The nerve stimulator-guided occipital nerve blockade significantly relieved cervicogenic headache and associated symptoms at two weeks following injection.
TL;DR: When compared to other antihypertensive agents (diuretics, beta-adrenergic blockers and calcium antagonists) in large clinical trials, ACE-I and ARA provided no additional advantages regarding improvement in cardiovascular and total mortality.
Abstract: Drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), namely angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARA) are gaining increasing popularity as initial medications for the management of hypertensive patients. In the year 2002, ACE-I were the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of hypertension in USA. Although their antihypertensive efficacy as monotherapy is similar to other antihypertensive agents, they have the advantage of better tolerability, limited side effects and a favorable metabolic profile. When compared to other antihypertensive agents (diuretics, beta-adrenergic blockers and calcium antagonists) in large clinical trials, ACE-I and ARA provided no additional advantages regarding improvement in cardiovascular and total mortality. With the exception of the superiority of ARA in prevention of stroke, RAS inhibitors have no advantage over other agents in prevention of other cardiovascular morbid events, namely, heart failure (though ACE-I are superior to calcium antagonists), coronary heart disease and total cardiovascular events. However, there is the possibility that these agents have other benefits beyond blood pressure lowering. At equal degrees of blood pressure reduction, RAS inhibitors prevent or delay the development of diabetes mellitus and provide better end-organ protection, kidneys, blood vessels and the heart when compared with other antihypertensive agents. The combined use of ACE-I and ARA is particularly useful in organ protection. RAS inhibitors are specifically indicated in the treatment of hypertension in patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function, diabetes, proteinuria, impaired kidney function, myocardial infarction, multiple cardiovascular risk factors and possibly elderly patients. The main limitation of the ACE-I is cough and rarely angioedema. Elderly patients or those who are volume depleted or receiving large doses of diuretics or in heart failure are liable to develop hypotensive reaction and/or deterioration in kidney function.
TL;DR: The color appearance of the layered ceramic disk specimens is strongly influenced not only by the core thickness and veneer thickness, but also by their interaction.
Abstract: Statement of problem Specific contributions of the core and the veneer thickness on the appearance of layered disk specimens are not well characterized. Purpose This study examined the effect of varying core and veneer thickness on the color parameters of layered disk specimens made of 2 ceramic systems. Material and methods Disk specimens 16 mm in diameter with core/veneer thickness (mm) of 0.8/0.2 (baseline), 0.8/0.7, 0.8/1.2, 1.0/0.5, 1.3/0.2, and 1.8/0.2 were made from a leucite-reinforced ceramic (IPS Empress; 2B shade), and thickness (mm) of 0.5/0.5 (baseline), 0.5/1.0, 0.5/1.5, 0.8/0.7, 1.0/0.5, and 1.5/0.5 were made from a glass-infiltrated spinell ceramic (In-Ceram Spinell; A2 shade). Color parameters L ∗ , a ∗ , and b ∗ of CIELAB color space were measured against a neutral gray background with a tri-stimulus colorimeter, and ΔE between disk group and its respective baseline group was calculated. Analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of material and core and veneer thickness on the color parameters (α=.05). Results Increasing the total disk thickness resulted in decrease of L ∗ ( P ∗ ( P ∗ ( P P =.0236). For leucite-reinforced ceramic, the core thickness, veneer thickness, and their interaction exhibited significant influence on the mean values of a ∗ and b ∗ ( P ∗ . For spinell ceramic, the core thickness and veneer thickness exhibited significant influence on the mean values of L ∗ and b ∗ ( P ∗ ; the interaction demonstrated significant influence on b ∗ ( P =.0003) but not on L ∗ and a ∗ . Conclusion The color appearance of the layered ceramic disk specimens is strongly influenced not only by the core thickness and veneer thickness, but also by their interaction.