ALOHA 1.55μm Implementation on the CHARA Telescope Array: On-Sky Sensitivity Tests

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Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a major cancer in Egypt and worldwide and has many risk factors including genes involved in the immune response. Aim: we investigated the HLA-G 14bp gene polymorphism as a risk factor for NHL and its clinic pathologic features. The study involved 150 patients with NHL and 100 healthy control. Full histories, clinical examination, C.T scan and laboratory investigations such as CBC, LDH, ?2microglobulin and HCV RNA by qualitative real time PCR were performed for all subjects. HLA-G 14bp ins/del gene polymorphism was determined by PCR. Results: in our study, del/del, ins/del and dominant genotypes increased the risk of NHL by 11.01, 10.55 and 10.88 fold respectively (p<0.001) but the recessive genotype did not increase the risk of NHL (p=0.112). Cases with the del allele had a greater risk of NHL than those with the ins allele (p<0.001). del/del and ins/del genotypes were significantly associated with higher LDH and ?2microglobulin levels (p<0.001), lower Hb and platelet values (p<0.001), extra nodal sites (p=0.001), poor performance status (p=0.04) and relapse (p=0.001). Conclusions: the results suggest that HLA-G 14bp ins/del gene polymorphism is a risk factor for NHL in our Egyptian population and is associated with poor clinical pathological features. Abbreviations Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human T-cell lymphotropic/leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1)

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic ring enhancing brain lesions taking histopathological findings as gold standard. Study Design and Setting: The cross sectional study was conducted at Radiology department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Methodology: Total 102 patients with ring enhancing lesions detected on MRI brain contrast studies were selected for this study. Cases were referred from Outpatient Department of Neurology Clinics who were suspected of having space occupying lesions in brain. Full history, clinical examination and laboratory investigations (Complete Blood Count and ESR) were carried out. The patients having claustrophobia, metallic implants, cardiac pacemaker and having metallic foreign body in situ were excluded from the study. Informed consent was taken from the research and MRS was performed. On MRS, lesion was categorized and final diagnosis was taken based on histopathology results. All the information was recorded into predesigned proforma. Patients Data was scrutinized by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21.0). Mean + SD was calculated for age, gender, duration of symptoms and size of the lesion. Results: The average age of the patients was 35.45±10.36 years. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of MRS was 87.5%, 93.3%, 95.5%, 89.7% and 92.1% respectively. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy can be effective in discerning neoplastic from non-neoplastic ring enhancing cerebral lesions, thus avoiding an invasive procedure like brain biopsy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in accurate and rapid diagnosis of fungal endophthalmitis in comparison with conventional Gram stain and culture in pediatric fungal endophthalmitis. Patients and Methods: This study included 26 cases with endophthalmitis. Age was less than 16 years old, and all were males with history of ocular trauma and with clinical picture suggestive of fungal endophthalmitis. A prospective nonrandomized study was done. For all cases pars plana vitrectomy was done and sample of vitreous wash was collected from the vitrectomy cassette and was sent for laboratory diagnosis. At the end of surgery, intravitreal injection of 1.0 mg/0.1 mL vancomycin was given. PCR, culture sensitivity and ultrasound were done for all cases. Follow-up of cases by visual acuity, full ophthalmological examination, ultrasound, PCR, and other laboratory investigation. The schedule for follow-up was daily for 1week, weekly for 1 month, and monthly for 1 year than all data collected and analysed. Results: The ages ranged from 7 to 16 years old. All cases were males. Seventeen cases had central corneal ulcer, 5 of them with penetration full thickness, and 9 cases had peripheral corneal ulcer, 2 of them with penetration. Ophthalmological examination revealed a marked drop of vision ranging from HM to PL in the affected eye. Although Gram stain gave negative results in 20 cases (was positive in only 6 cases), KOH wet mount preparation revealed septate hyphae in only 4 cases, and culture on blood agar was negative in all samples, suggestive of Aspergillus niger and showing Candida albicans colonies in 8 samples. PCR assay was positive for the universal as well as for the Aspergillus-specific primers, but it was negative for Candida-specific primer in 4 samples. No recurrence of infection was noticed for the following 1 year The mean follow-up period was 10.3 months (range, 5–24 months), but with trivial improvement in visual acuity. The sensitivity of PCR assay was found to be highly significant, p < .0001, much superior to that of microscopy and culture in detecting fungal endophthalmitis. Conclusion: PCR assay was found to be a highly sensitive and specific test that allows rapid and accurate diagnosis of pediatric fungal endophthalmitis. PCR was found to give a much more sensitive and more rapid result than Gram stain and culture technique with comparable high specificity. Thus, we recommend the use of conventional methods as culture and stained smears as they are useful if positive, inexpensive, and available in all laboratories. This is in addition to PCR assay, which must be added to the protocol of management of cases of pediatric fungal endophthalmitis.

Background: Preterm infants have a risk of the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Helpful effects of high-frequency ventilators have been shown within management of RDS as well as the use of these ventilators as the initial mode of support or as a rescue treatment once failure of standard mechanical ventilation. Objective: This study aimed to compare between the nasal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (nHFOV) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in the treatment of preterm infants with RDS in. Patients and methods: A study included 62 neonates with respiratory distress syndrome and was conducted at neonatal intensive care unit, Pediatrics Department, Zagazig University Hospital. Cases were divided into; group (A) was managed with non-invasive high frequency nasal ventilation and group (B) was managed with nasal continuous positive airway pressure. All cases were subjected to full medical history, clinical assessment, laboratory investigations and Silverman Score for respiratory distress grading. Results: There was statistically non-significant difference between the studied groups regarding occurrence of nasal injury, oxygen supply after study and need for use of surfactant. There was statistically non-significant difference between the studied groups regarding x ray findings before or by the end of the study. There was statistically significant relation between gestational age groups and need for surfactant in NHFV group. Conclusion: Noninvasive high frequency ventilation (NHFV) represent a better primary non-invasive mode than NCPAP in treatment of preterm infants with RDS.

BackgroundBefore the role of shear wave elastography (SWE) and B mode ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of different forms of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) can be investigated, normative data is required. This study aimed to describe and then compare normative SWE and B mode ultrasound metrics of muscles in healthy controls and patients with IIM.MethodsTwenty nine healthy adult controls and 10 IIM patients (5 with inclusion body myositis and 5 with necrotising autoimmune myopathy) underwent a full clinical examination, laboratory investigations, SWE and US measurements of selected proximal and distal limb muscles. Shear wave speed (SWS) and multiple US domains [echogenicity, fascial thickness, muscle bulk and power Doppler (PD)] were measured in both groups.ResultsIn healthy controls (n = 29; mean age 46.60 ± 16.10; 44.8 % female), age was inversely correlated with SWS at the deltoid (stretch) (Rs. -0.40, p = 0.030) and PD score at the deltoid (rest) (Rs. -0.40, P = 0.032). Those ≥ 50 years old had a lower SWS at the deltoid (stretch) compared to the < 50 year group (2.92 m/s vs. 2.40 m/s, P = 0.032). Age correlated with increased echogenicity in the flexor digitorum profundus (Rs. 0.38, P = 0.045). Females had a smaller muscle bulk in the deltoid (P = 0.022). Body mass index (BMI) was inversely associated with SWS in the deltoid (stretch) (Rs – 0.45, P = 0.026), and positively correlated with echogenicity in the deltoid (Rs. 0.69, P = 0.026). In patients ≥50 years of age, patients with IIM (mean age 61.00 ± 8.18; females 20.0 %) had a higher proportion of abnormal echogenicity scores at the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) (40.00 % vs. 14.30 %, P = 0.022) and tibialis anterior (TA) (80.00 % vs. 28.60 %, P = 0.004). Fascial thickness was lower in the FDP (0.63mm vs. 0.50mm, p = 0.012) and TA (0.58mm vs. 0.45mm, P = 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings suggest there is scope for US techniques to be useful for diagnostic screening of affected muscles in patients with IIM, especially in those with suspected inclusion body myositis or necrotising autoimmune myopathy. We provide normative data for future studies into SWE and US techniques in skeletal muscle. The differences between IIM patients and controls warrant further study in a broader IIM patient cohort.

Introduction Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is currently considered the first-line diagnostic procedure of choice for upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding; however, the etiology of bleeding remains unknown in a subset of patients. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic yield of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in upper gastrointestinal bleeding in pediatrics and determine the clinical predictors for unreached diagnosis during endoscopy. Methods Cross sectional study, conducted at pediatric endoscopy unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, where 100 patients were recruited, as they were referred for diagnostic upper GI endoscopy due to overt upper GI bleeding in the form of hematemesis and/or melena. Full medical history, examination, laboratory investigations, endoscopic and histopathologic findings were documented. Results :100 patients with ages ranging from 3 months to 15 years, median age 4 years, 47% males and 53% females, 65% presented by hematemesis only, 7% with melena only, and 28 % presented with both hematemesis and melena. In 38 % of cases no endoscopic diagnosis was reached. While patients with a positive diagnostic yield 62%, had variable diagnosis, the most common of which was H pylori gastritis and reflux oesophagitis in 23% and 11% of cases respectively. Followed by nonspecific gastritis (8%), oesophageal varices (4%), and others (16%).. Melena was a negative predictor to reach a diagnosis by upper GI endoscopy. Conclusion Diagnostic yield of upper GI endoscopy in pediatric patients with upper GI bleeding was only 62%. Combining upper GI endoscopy with other tools in cases presenting with melena alone is highly recommended since bleeding from a source in the small bowel or right colon may also be the cause.

Prompt diagnosis of acute schistosomiasis benefits the individual and provides opportunities for early public health intervention. In endemic areas schistosomiasis is usually contracted during the first 5 years of life, thus it is critical to look at how the infection manifests in this age group. The aim of this study was to describe the prodromal signs and symptoms of early schistosomiasis infection, correlate these with early disease progression and risk score to develop an easy to use clinical algorithm to identify early Schistosoma haematobium infection cases in resource limited settings. Two hundred and four, preschool age children who were lifelong residence of a schistosomiasis endemic district and at high risk of acquiring schistosomiasis were followed up from July 2019 to December 2019, during high transmission season. The children received interval and standard full clinical evaluations and laboratory investigations for schistosomiasis by clinicians blinded from their schistosomiasis infection status. Diagnosis of S. haematobium was by urine filtration collected over three consecutive days. Signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis at first examination visit were compared to follow-up visits. Signs and symptoms common on the last schistosomiasis negative visit (before a subsequent positive) were assigned as early schistosomiasis infection (ESI), after possible alternative causes were ruled out. Logistic regression identified clinical predictors. A model based score was assigned to each predictor to create a risk for every child. An algorithm was created based on the predictor risk scores and validated on a separate cohort of 537 preschool age children. Twenty-one percent (42) of the participants were negative for S. haematobium infection at baseline but turned positive at follow-up. The ESI participants at the preceding S. haematobium negative visit had the following prodromal signs and symptoms in comparison to non-ESI participants; pruritic rash adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 21.52 (95% CI 6.38-72.66), fever AOR = 82 (95% CI 10.98-612), abdominal pain AOR = 2.6 (95% CI 1.25-5.43), pallor AOR = 4 (95% CI 1.44-11.12) and a history of facial/body swelling within the previous month AOR = 7.31 (95% CI 3.49-15.33). Furthermore 16% of the ESI group had mild normocytic anaemia, whilst 2% had moderate normocytic anaemia. A risk score model was created using a rounded integer from the relative risks ratios. The diagnostic algorithm created had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 96.9%, Positive predictive value = 87.2% and NPV was 95.2%. The area under the curve for the algorithm was 0.93 (0.90-0.97) in comparison with the urine dipstick AUC = 0.58 (0.48-0.69). There was a similar appearance in the validation cohort as in the derivative cohort. This study demonstrates for the first time prodromal signs and symptoms associated with early S. haematobium infection in pre-school age children. These prodromal signs and symptoms pave way for early intervention and management, thus decreasing the harm of late diagnosis. Our algorithm has the potential to assist in risk-stratifying pre-school age children for early S. haematobium infection. Independent validation of the algorithm on another cohort is needed to assess the utility further.

Background: globally, lung cancer is the most common cancer among males in terms of both incidence and mortality and among females has the third highest incidence, and comes after breast cancer in mortality. Aim of the Work: to recognize the lung cancer presentation pattern in Aswan University Hospital involving different clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic pattern. Patients and Methods: this retrospective study included 30 patients with lung cancer in Aswan University Hospital, all these data were recorded; complete clinical examination, full laboratory investigations, imaging modalities, bronchoscopy and histopathological analysis of tissue samples. Results: the mean age in lung cancer patients was (59.33 ± 8.6) years, mass lesion and collapse were the main radiological presentations and endobronchial mass lesion was the main presenting bronchoscopic finding. Conclusion: endobronchial mass was the most frequent bronchoscopic finding in lung cancer patients in our study.

Type A viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among the three influenza types and cause the most severe disease: H1N1, which caused swine flu in 2009, and H5N1, which caused avian flu in 2004. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features and the treatment outcome of confirmed cases of avian flu and swine flu admitted in Abbassia Chest Hospital between 2006 and 2010. This was a retrospective study that included 213 patients PCR-positive for influenza A H1N1 and 23 patients PCR-positive for influenza A H5N1, who were admitted to Abbassia Chest Hospital during the period from March 2006 to December 2010. The following data were collected by retrospective reviews of hospital records for each patient: epidemiological data through interview with the patient or their relatives, full history data, complete clinical examination data, full laboratory investigations, chest radiograph film at the time of admission and during the hospitalization period, a nasopharyngeal swab, ECG, and arterial blood gases. Statistical analysis of the data was then carried out. Regarding swine flu cases, there was no statistical difference with regard to the age distribution, the sex distribution, the presence of comorbidities, and the time of presentation among the studied patients. The results showed that 170 patients recovered, whereas 43 died, with a mortality rate of 20.2%. Among the avian flu cases, seven patients recovered, whereas 16 died, with a mortality rate of 69.5%. The mortality rate was high in renal patients, patients having bilateral complicating pneumonia, and in the patients who needed mechanical ventilation. Some comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiac illness, and chronic chest illness, have no implication on mortality. In contrast, renal conditions and the need of mechanical ventilation were associated with a high mortality rate. Egypt J Broncho 2014 8:70–78

Myasthenia Gravis Disclosed by Lithium Carbonate

BackgroundRecent studies suggested association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and cardiovascular disorders, including carotid atherosclerosis with evidence of an effect of HCV clearance on carotid atherosclerosis.ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the impact of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on carotid atherosclerosis.Subjects and methodsThis is a prospective cohort study that was carried out in Internal Medicine and Hepatology Department, and outpatient clinics of the Ain Shams University hospitals included 80 Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection who started treatment in the form of IFN-free DAA-based regimen and completed the course of treatment and 6-month follow-up period. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, full physical examination, full laboratory investigations, radiological assessment by abdominal ultrasonography, and high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography of both the common carotid arteries.ResultsThe mean age of cases was 58.13 ± 7.56 years, 49 (61.25%) males and 31 (38.75%) females. IMT was significantly decreased after treatment 1.24 versus 1.57 mm p < 0.001. The number of patients with IMT ≥ 1 mm was significantly decreased after 6 months 45 (56.3%) versus 57 (71.3%). There was significant positive correlation between baseline carotid IMT and age, BMI, bilirubin, INR, CTP score, carotid plaques, and total cholesterol. Meanwhile, there was significant negative correlation between baseline carotid IMT and hemoglobin, platelets, albumin, and HDL. In patients who achieved SVR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL were significantly increased after treatment. IMT was significantly lower in SVR group compared to non-SVR group (p = 0.016).ConclusionHepatitis C virus eradication by DAAs improves carotid atherosclerosis by decreasing carotid intima-media thickening.

This study outlined how pneumococcal pneumonia complicated the clinical presentations of pulmonary tuberculosis and showed the predictive value of Pseudomembranous candidiasis (PC) in detection of unknown Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Ekpoma. Out of 510 sputum samples analyzed, bacteria and fungi were identified using standard microbiological methods and sera of 240 patients, with undiagnosed PC, whose sputum had Candida albicans, were screened for HIV. Exactly 44.1% were co-infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis while 40.2% had M. tuberculosis and C. albicans. Out of 260 patients clinically diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, 23.1% had Streptococcus pneumoniae, while 69.3% of 150 patients clinically diagnosed with pneumonia had M. tuberculosis. Exactly 79.2% of 240 patients with PC, had undetected HIV. Pneumococcal pneumonia complicated the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. PC was 79.2% predictive of undiagnosed HIV infection. Full laboratory investigation remains invaluable in the management of mixed infections.

Stone mastic asphalt (SMA) with crumb rubber according to a new dry-hybrid technology: A laboratory and trial field evaluation

E‐Poster Presentations – A2) Gastric and Duodenal