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Biomedical subjects

M Mahran

Publications and source records attributed to M Mahran.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Expression of the apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-2 in sputum eosinophils from children with acute asthma.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis of eosinophils is of increasingly important value in modulating allergic airway inflammation in asthma. Our purpose was to investigate the degree of expression of the antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma/leukaemia-2 (Bcl-2) protein in sputum eosinophils during acute asthma exacerbation and its relationship with exacerbation severity. METHODS: Sputum was obtained from 33 asthmatic children and 15 healthy children as a control group. Patients were studied during an acute asthma exacerbation. They were classified according to the severity of exacerbation into mild, moderate and severe (n=11 for each). Patients with severe exacerbation were followed up until remission and another sputum sample was obtained. Number of sputum eosinophils was expressed as percentage of leucocytes. Bcl-2 expression in sputum eosinophils was assessed by immunohistochemical staining techniques; the results were expressed as percentage of positively stained cells over total eosinophils. RESULTS: Sputum eosinophils and Bcl-2(+) eosinophils' percentages were significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation than controls (P<0.01). Patients with severe exacerbation had significantly higher sputum Bcl-2(+) eosinophils' percentage than those with mild-to-moderate exacerbation (mean+/-SD=42.4+/-31.96% vs. 5.7+/-14.5%, P<0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between Bcl-2(+) eosinophils' percentage and peak expiratory flow rate % predicted (P<0.05). After remission, patients with severe exacerbation showed a significant decrease of Bcl-2(+) eosinophils' percentage (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Bcl-2 prolongs survival and decreases apoptosis of airway eosinophils in asthma especially during exacerbation. Eosinophil apoptosis and Bcl-2 represent a target for new and effective therapeutic strategies of asthma.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Eclampsia: a leading cause of maternal mortality.

Eclampsia is the occurrence of generalized convulsions during pregnancy, labor or within seven days of delivery, not due to epilepsy or other convulsive disorders. It is largely a preventable disease provided the pregnant women get regular antenatal care. Despite all prevention measures, diagnostic modalities and intensive treatment, it is still one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the developing world. In this review, we present definitions, epidemiologic data, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of this life threatening condition.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1988

The impact of diagnostic ultrasound on the prediction of intrauterine growth retardation in developing countries.

The purpose of this report is to throw light on the problem of intrauterine growth retardation in our society, and to show how this situation could be affected by the introduction of diagnostic ultrasound in our antenatal service. A series of 828 pregnant women were serially examined by ultrasound during the course of pregnancy. Among the whole series (no. 828) there were 98 growth retarded neonates (11.8%). Antenatal ultrasonic evaluation could predict 89.7% of these cases, while only 34.7% of cases could have been predicted by fundal palpation. Among the different etiological factors, maternal anemia was the most common (25%).

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1985

A comparative clinical trial of the tubal ring versus the Rocket clip for female sterilization.

Studies of application of the Rocket clip compared with the tubal ring were conducted at three sites. Procedures were randomly assigned to the patients; 332 women were sterilized with the tubal ring and 331 were sterilized with the Rocket clip. The occlusion devices were applied via a minilaparotomy incision. Surgical difficulties and injuries and technical failures occurred with comparable frequency in the two groups. There were two method failures in each tubal occlusion group; the 24-month life-table pregnancy rate was 1.0 per 100 women in the tubal ring group and 0.9 per 100 in the Rocket clip group. The Rocket spring-loaded clip appears to be as safe, effective, and easy to apply as the tubal ring for tubal occlusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Prophylactic intravenous metronidazole in cesarean section.

Prophylactic chemotherapy was given to 100 patients who underwent cesarean section. Ampicillin was given to 50 patients and I.V. metronidazole to the other 50 (in a single dose of 500 mg to 20 and in 3 doses to 30 patients). The overall febrile morbidity was 20%. Metronidazole was superior in reducing febrile morbidity and wound sepsis, compared to ampicillin (P less than 0.05). This study supports the concept of prophylactic chemotherapy being beneficial to the obstetric patient. A single dose of 500 mg I.V. is satisfactory for prophylactic use in cesarean section.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Transabdominal cervical cerclage during pregnancy. A modified technique.

A modified surgical technique for carrying out cervical cerclage by the transabdominal route during pregnancy is presented. It is designed for the patient whose cervix is so short or damaged that the transvaginal procedure is not feasible. Basically, the method consists of a standard laparotomy at which a nylon tape is placed around the uterine isthmus medial to the uterine vessels and fixed to the anterior isthmus, Mackenrodt's ligaments, and to the insertions of the uterosacral ligaments. Results in 10 cases are reported. There were no operative or postoperative complications. One case was terminated by early spontaneous abortion and 2 by hysterotomy at 26 and 30 weeks, respectively, because of placenta previa. Seven cases were terminated by cesarean section at or near term, with delivery of 7 infants who survived. The 7 mothers had had a total of 50 prior pregnancies with only 5 living children; 4 of them had ahd 25 prior pregnancies with no living children. Various aspects of the procedure are discussed.

Abortion, Habitual↗