Biomedical subjects

A A Shahin

Publications and source records attributed to A A Shahin.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Symptomatic thrombotic events among Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: special consideration for renal vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of symptomatic thrombotic events among Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the frequency and the risk factors associated with renal vein thrombosis in those patients. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with SLE, 51 (94.4%) females, were involved in this study. All of them were submitted for abdominal sonography, chest X-ray, echocardiography, and Doppler of renal, abdominal and lower limb veins, with examination of data on clinical and laboratory profile. Abdominal CT, brain MRI, MRI both hips, CT chest and pulmonary scintigraphy were used when needed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (29.6%) were diagnosed with symptomatic thrombotic events. Eight patients had more than one type of thrombosis. Two patients (3.7%) were diagnosed by Doppler as having renal vein thrombosis (RVT). This was confirmed by abdominal CT. One of them presented with nephrotic syndrome, graded by renal biopsy as World Health Organization (WHO) class V, and had positive anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL). The other patient had RVT and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis, nephrotic syndrome, positive ACL, and died before renal biopsy was performed. Both of them were without history of peripheral thrombotic events. One patient was diagnosed with IVC thrombosis, lupus nephritis grade II, positive ACL, and diagnosed by abdominal CT. One patient was diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis and had positive ACL. One patient with retinal vessel thrombosis and positive ACL. Four patients had deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Recurrent miscarriages were reported in 4 patients (7.4%), skin ulcerations in 3 (5.6%), avascular necrosis of the hips in 4 (7.4%), stroke in 1 (1.9%), and pulmonary hypertension in 2 patients (3.7%). CONCLUSION: Sixteen SLE patients (29.6%) were diagnosed with symptomatic thrombotic events. RVT was detected in 2 patients representing 3.7% of all patients, and 12.5% of patients with thrombosis. Both patients with RVT presented with nephrotic syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Prolactin and thyroid hormones in patients with systemic sclerosis: correlations with disease manifestations and activity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and thyroid hormones and to investigate the correlation between these hormones and different disease manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Twenty four patients with SSc (23 women, mean age 37.7+/-12.7) were subjected to thyroid hormones assessment. Prolactin (PRL) was assessed in 23 female patients. The patients were evaluated regarding different disease manifestations. Fifteen normal female volunteers were involved as controls. RESULTS: Serum levels of PRL in all patients was significantly higher than controls (16.75+/-9.06 for patients vs. 11.6+/-4.5 for controls with p<0.001). Eight patients out of 23 (34.8%) showed hyperprolactinemia. In patients with diffuse SSc (dSSc), PRL levels showed significant correlation with the rate of skin tethering (r = +0.72, p<0.01) and abnormal left ventricular filling pattern (decreasing E/A ratio), i.e., occurrence of diastolic dysfunction (r = +0.65, p<0.05). Hyperprolactinemia in all patients correlated significantly with disease duration (r = -0.42, p<0.05). Mean serum levels of free thyroxin (FT4) in all patients were significantly lower than the control group(7.46+/-2.7 for patients vs 10.47+/-2.5 with p<0.001). Eight out of all 24 patients (33.3%) showed hypothyroidism. In group A (duration<3 years); FT4 levels correlated significantly with Dlco% (r = +0.90, p<0.01). While in group B (duration>3 years), T4 hypothyroidism correlated significantly with hand joint restriction of motion (r = +0.66, p<0.01). Serum levels of triiodothironine (FT3) in all patients were nonsignificantly lower than the control group (4.8+/-2.3 for patients vs 5.3+/-1.9 for controls, P = NS). Three patients out of 24 (12.5%) showed T3 thyrotoxicosis. Serum levels of T3 correlated significantly with liver enzyme elevations (r = +0.46, p<0.05) and ESR (r = +0.41, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the close association between PRL or thyroid hormones and some organ involvement in SSc.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computerized tomography, alpha1-antitrypsin measurement, and early detection of pulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary disease represents a major complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, pulmonary involvement is commonly silent. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum alpha1-antitrypsin and other means of assessing pulmonary involvement. METHODS: Twenty-two patients affected by SSc were studied (mean age 37.6+/-14.3 years, mean duration of disease 9.9+/-11.9 years). Fourteen had the diffuse form of disease (dSSc) and eight had the limited form (lSSc). All patients underwent pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs, echocardiography, and serum assessment of alpha1-antitrypsin. RESULTS: Mean percentage of predicted values of forced vital capacity was lower in patients with dSSc than with lSSc (72.3+/-17.8 vs 74.5+/-8, P=NS). Mean percentage of predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1-s forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was lower in patients with lSSc (79.8+/-7.5 for lSSc vs 84.4+/-7.8 for dSSc, P= NS). The overall HRCT score was 5.6+/-5.9 with no significant difference between disease subgroups. Pulmonary hypertension was detected in two cases, both with dSSc. Alpha1-antitrypsin was significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between disease subgroups, and correlated significantly with ground glass opacities in H RCT (P < 0.05) and the detection of diffusion defects (r= -0.61, P<0.01). No significant correlation was observed between skin score or degree of dyspnea with HRCT score, lung volume, or carbon monoxide diffusing capacity. CONCLUSION: Restrictive lung disease was more pronounced in patients with dSSc. Alpha1-antitrypsin levels correlated significantly with ground glass opacities, an early finding of pulmonary involvement in SSc. Extent and severity of skin involvement and degree of dyspnea were not related to pulmonary involvement.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Arthritis and osteonecrosis in a patient with thrombophilia.

This case report describes a very rare entity of thrombophilia manifesting as persistent arthritis and digital ulcers. A 9-year-old Egyptian girl presented with a 2-year history of persistent arthritis and digital ulcers. The case was followed up after 4 years. The clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations are recorded. Thrombophilia with partial protein C deficiency appeared to be responsible for the clinical manifestations with underlying ipsilateral osteonecrosis of patella and calcaneum and resorption of the terminal phalanges. Her older sister showed the same picture with additional pulmonary hypertension. In conclusion, arthritis and osteonecrosis appear as a rare presentation of thrombophilia and protein C deficiency, and ignorance of this may lead to misdiagnosis or confusion with other childhood rheumatic diseases.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed2001

Power Doppler sonography in the evaluation and follow-up of knee involvement in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of ultrasound (US), conventional color (CD) and power Doppler (PD) in the detection and quantification of inflammatory signs of the knee in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to correlate these findings with patient history, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with JIA who had clinical signs of knee involvement as well as 15 healthy children as a control group where subjected to full clinical examination and laboratory investigations on the same day of US examination. The knee joints were evaluated with plain radiography, US, and color Doppler in 13 patients, while the remaining 17 were assessed with power Doppler. Fourteen patients were subjected to follow-up assessment. RESULTS: A highly significant difference in synovial thickening and cartilage thickness detected by US between JIA affected knees and those of controls (p < 0.0001). Knee effusion was demonstrated in 93% of patients. Synovial vessels were detected by Doppler in 76.7% of patients. A significant correlation was detected between the degree of vascularity detected by PD and knee score (p < 0.05), and JAFAR score (P < 0.05). On comparing the findings of the follow-up with those of the initial examination, a significant positive correlation was detected between the differences in the knee score and those in synovial thickness (p < 0.05), and with the vascularity scale detected by PD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests the Doppler sonography as a non-invasive, low-cost, and readily available tool for the evaluation and follow-up of articular involvement in knees of JIA patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Protective effect of folinic acid on low-dose methotrexate genotoxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic agent widely used in low dose to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Its side effects can partly be explained by folate antagonism. Folinic acid (Leucovorin) is generally administered with MTX to decrease MTX-induced toxicity. However information regarding the inhibitory effect of folinic acid against cytogenetic damage caused by MTX is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of folinic acid against MTX-genotoxicity. METHODS: This study was done on Wistar albino rats and in patients with RA. Forty rats of both sexes were randomized into four equal groups and dosed in the following way: Group-I, distilled water vehicle; Group-II, 0.5 mg/kg folinic acid; Group-III, 0.5 mg/kg MTX; Group-IV, 0.5 mg/kg folinic acid plus 0.5 mg/kg MTX. Doses were given i.p., once daily for 8 consecutive days. A bone marrow chromosomal study and a micronucleus test were performed for each rat. Twenty patients with RA (5 males and 15 females) on a 10 mg weekly dose of MTX, i.m., for one month, were administered the same dose of MTX in addition to 10 mg of folinic acid as a single dose 4 hours after MTX administration, i.m., every week for another 4 weeks. Chromosomal studies as well as a micronucleus test were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: MTX produced a significant genetic injury as proved by the increased incidence of chromosomal aberration and micronuclei formation in Group-III animals. Inversely, folinic acid (group IV) produced a significant protection against genetic damages induced by MTX. In RA patients, folinic acid provides satisfactory improvement of MTX-induced genetic damage. CONCLUSION: Folinic acid has a protective affect against MTX genotoxicity in human as well as in animal models.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Ultrastructural changes in the muscles, midgut, hemopoietic organ, imaginal discs and Malpighian tubules of the mosquito Aedes aegypti larvae infected by the fungus Coelomomyces stegomyiae.

Fungi belonging to the genus Coelomomyces can infect mosquito larvae and develop within the larval hemocoel. To examine fungal development, Aedes aegypti larvae infected with Coelomomyces stegomyiae Keilin were fixed, embedded and sectioned for both light and electron microscopy. While fungal hyphae of C. stegomyiae did not invade cells other than the cuticular epithelial cells, they did penetrate a number of tissues including muscles, midgut, hemopoietic organ, imaginal discs, and Malpighian tubules.

Aedes↗

PubMed2001

A comparative analysis of the rate of meiosis, chiasma frequency and terminalization in the Jerboas Allactaga and Jaculus (Rodentia: Dipodidae) in Egypt.

The rate of seven meiotic stages (zygotene-pachytene, diplotene-diakinesis, metaphase I, anaphase I, metaphase II, anaphase II, and quartet) was studied in the jerboas Jaculus jaculus jaculus, Jaculus orientalis, and Allactaga tetradactyla, chiasma frequency and terminalization being examined only in J. jaculus and J. orientalis, and compared with the previous data concerning A. tetradactyla. Significant differences in the rate of meiosis, frequency of bivalent types, and frequency of interstitial and distal or terminal chiasmata per genome length were observed between A. tetradactyla and the two congeneric species J. jaculus and J. orientalis. Differences of these parameters among individuals within each species are also discussed in detail.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Correlation of growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus with some essential metals in gamma irradiated crushed corn.

The effects of gamma irradiation and some essential metals on growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus in crushed corn were investigated. The production of aflatoxin by A. flavus was influenced by the addition of zinc, copper or iron and the effect gradually decreased with increasing metal concentration from 0 to 300 ppm. A. flavus grew and depleted zinc, copper and iron at initial concentration of 100, 200 or 300 ppm. Presence of 100 ppm zinc, copper or iron plus gamma irradiation (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 kGy) enhanced the growth of A. flavus and the production of aflatoxin in contrast with irradiated samples alone. A. flavus was able to metabolize and deplete elements in all gamma-irradiated samples. These results suggest that stricter control of element levels in gamma irradiated grains could control aflatoxin contamination.

Aflatoxin B1↗

PubMed2000

Circulating soluble adhesion molecules in patients with systemic sclerosis: correlation between circulating soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and impaired left ventricular diastolic function.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the relation between circulating soluble adhesion molecules and cardiac involvement, as assessed by echocardiography in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Nineteen patients with SSc were submitted for assessment of serum levels of circulating soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (sICAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules-1 (sVCAM-1), and echocardiography. Abnormal left ventricular filling patterns (down E/A ratio) were detected in ten patients (52.6%) with significant negative correlation with sVCAM-1 (r = -0.484, P < 0.05). It was also significantly correlated with age (r = -0.791, P < 0.01), age of onset (r = -0.468, P < 0.05), degree of dyspnea (r = -0.687, P < 0.01), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = -0.489, P < 0.05). Our findings suggest an important role for sVCAM-1 as a marker of disease severity and impaired left ventricular filling pattern in SSc.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

Influence of gamma rays and sodium chloride on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus.

The rate of Aspergillus flavus growth and production of aflatoxin in yeast extract sucrose medium generally decreased as the concentrations of NaCl increased from 2 to 12%. Maximum production and accumulation of aflatoxin at 28 degrees C occurred after 7 days in the presence of NaCl concentrations. The number of colony forming units of A. flavus after 1.0 or 2.0 kGy irradiation was lower than in the unirradiated controls and the mould was eliminated at 3.0 kGy. Aflatoxin B1 decreased from the control level of 46 micrograms kg(-1) to 10 micrograms kg(-1) at an irradiation dose level of 2.0 kGy. Viable gamma irradiated conidia (2.0 kGy) of A. flavus showed increased sensitivity to NaCl concentrations, indicating gamma-ray injury. The levels of aflatoxin produced by 2.0 kGy irradiated conidia of A. flavus decreased in the presence of 2, 4 or 6% NaCl, and the detoxification rate was 94.1, 100 and 100%, respectively, after 21 days of incubation at 28 degrees C compared with the effect of gamma-rays or sodium chloride alone.

Aflatoxin B1↗