Count Percentage Research Articles

Challenges and Opportunities Encountered by the Master of Arts in Educa-tion (MAED) Students in Cotabato City

This study aimed to determine the needs and problems in conducting research among the MAED students of Higher Education Institutions in Cotabato City Graduate Schools. It utilized the descriptive–quantitative type of research, and it was conducted in the selected college and universities-graduate schools in Cotabato City. The study's respondents were the forty-four (44) Master of Arts in Education graduating students for 2015-2016. The study employed total enumeration as a sampling technique. A survey questionnaire was generated upon reviewing the related literature and other secondary sources such as research articles and journals. The study's statistical tools used frequency and percentage counts, mean, and the grand mean.
 The needs of the MAED students in conducting research were perceived as "needed," while the level of difficulties encountered by the MAED students was perceived as "difficult."
 Financial aspects were seen as a hindrance to their research work. Likewise, a school offering graduate college in the city has equipped a library to give students access to the research materials they need. Similarly, there is still a need to develop the student's skills in conducting research. Students conducting research were it hard to manage their time while most of them were married and at the same time working.
 It is recommended that research subjects be emphasized to students taking research courses. There should be an organized schedule for students to consult closely with their adviser. The graduate studies program in the city should strengthen its research program.

S-Ketamine attenuates inflammatory effect and modulates the immune response in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of varying dosages of S-ketamine on perioperative immune-inflammatory responses in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 136 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists status I/II scheduled for MRM were enrolled and randomly assigned into groups to receive the control (C) or one of three different doses [0.25 (L-Sk), 0.5 (M-Sk), or 0.75 (H-Sk)mg/kg] of S-ketamine. The primary outcomes were the cellular immune function and inflammatory factors before anesthesia and at the end of (T1) and 24h (T2) after the surgery. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS) score, opioid consumption, rate of remedial analgesia, adverse events, and patient satisfaction. Results: The percentage and absolute counts of CD3+ and CD4+ cells in groups L-Sk, M-Sk, and H-Sk were higher than those of group C at T1 and T2. Moreover, a pairwise comparison revealed that the percentage in group H-Sk was higher than those in the L-Sk and M-Sk groups (p < 0.05). The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was lower in group C at T1 and T2 than those in groups M-Sk and H-Sk (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentage and absolute counts of natural killer (NK) cells and B lymphocytes among the four groups. However, compared with group C, the concentrations of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (NEUT), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) at T1 and T2 in three different doses of S-ketamine groups were significantly low, and the lymphocytes were significantly high. The ratio of SIRI and NLR at T2 in group M-Sk was lower than that in group L-Sk (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant decrease in VAS score, opioid consumption, rates of remedial analgesia, and adverse events was observed in the M-Sk and H-Sk groups. Conclusion: Collectively, our study demonstrates that S-ketamine could reduce opioid consumption, decrease postoperative pain intensity, exert a systemic anti-inflammatory effect, and attenuate immunosuppression in patients undergoing MRM. Moreover, we found that the effects of S-ketamine are related to the dose used, with significant differences observed in 0.5 or 0.75mg/kg of S-ketamine. Clinical Trial Registration: chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2200057226.

Combined clinical accuracy of inflammatory markers and ultrasound for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Acute appendicitis is traditionally a clinical diagnosis where there are a range of diagnostic accuracies reported. The role of ultrasound is to improve specificity and decrease negative appendicectomy rate. It is a simple, non-invasive, easily available technique.The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of an ultrasound in combination with total leukocyte count, neutrophil percentage and C-reactive protein in diagnosing acute appendicitis. This study includes consecutive sampling of suspected patients from January 2021 to February 2022 with the approval of the ethical and research committee. Clinical and personal demographics and characteristics of patients were collected, including age, gender, symptoms and clinical signs. Ultrasonographic findings of fluid-filled appendiceal diameter of more than 6 mm, periappendiceal echogenic mesentry and an appendicolith were primary positive features. Laboratory inflammatory markers of total leukocyte count, neutrophil percentage and C-reactive protein were also included. A total of 250 patients were included with a mean age of 25 ± 9.79 years. Total leukocyte count showed the highest sensitivity (77.68%), followed by neutrophil percentage (69.96%), C-reactive protein (67.10%) and ultrasound (62.96%). While ultrasound had the best specificity (70.59%), it was followed by C-reactive protein and total leukocyte count (64.71%) and neutrophil percentage (58.82%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity (99% and 98%) increased significantly when all four tests were combined. Clinical assessment with laboratory inflammatory markers and ultrasound improves the early diagnosis of appendicitis and decreases the false-positive appendicitis diagnosis, hence saving surgeons' time and relieving patients from unnecessary appendicectomies.

Minimal vessel area predicts in-stent restenosis in nonthrombotic iliac vein compression syndrome after stenting.

Minimal vessel area predicts in-stent restenosis in nonthrombotic iliac vein compression syndrome after stenting.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF OFFICE ASSISTANTS’ BUSINESS WRITING SKILLS: BASIS FOR A TRAINING DESIGN

Office assistants are the supporting arm of the office heads. One of their roles is to write correspondence and other documents on behalf of their office, hence requiring them to be proficient in writing. This study aims to conceptualize a training that is tailored-fit for the office assistants to help them enhance their writing skills. The study uses the descriptive design particularly, the triangulation method in analyzing and validating qualitative data since most of the data gathered were qualitative in nature. The data were collected through the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) Survey Questionnaire, Business Writing Test (BWT), and Semi-Structured Interview (SSI). Questionnaires were distributed to the 27 respondents, five of which were selected for SSI. Results were then analyzed using frequency and percentage counts, weighted arithmetic mean, Standard Deviation (SD), T-test, Analysis of Variance, Pearson r and Grounded Theory Analysis. Results showed no significant difference on the respondents’ level of business writing skills and demographic profiles. Self-assessment also indicated no significant relationship with their business writing skills. Nevertheless, it was found that the office assistants still need business writing training to improve their business writing skills in terms of voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. KEYWORDS: training needs analysis, business writing, office assistants, training design, skills.

Short-term prognostic role of peripheral lymphocyte subsets in patients with gastric cancer.

Immune function is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. This study aimed to explore the prognostic role of peripheral lymphocyte subsets in patients with gastric cancer after curative surgery. This retrospective study was conducted at a single tertiary referral hospital. We included patients diagnosed with gastric cancer who had undergone surgery and met the inclusion criteria. Clinicopathological characteristics and preoperative peripheral lymphocyte subset data were collected for the analysis. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox hazard regression model. We used the Whitney test and Spearman test to analyze the correlation between lymphocyte subsets and clinicopathological characteristics. This study included 171 patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative surgery. Multivariate analysis revealed that carcinoembryonic antigen (p<0.01), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (p<0.001), lymph node metastases (p<0.001), total T-cell count (p=0.02), B-cell count (p<0.01), and regulatory T-cell percentage (p<0.01) were independent predictive factors associated with RFS. Impaired immune function may lead to early recurrence following curative surgery. Our study showed that the characteristics of peripheral lymphocyte subsets (T, B, and Treg cells) were independent predictive factors for recurrence in patients with gastric cancer after surgery.

Impact of Aggregation Methods for Texture Features on Their Robustness Performance: Application to Nasopharyngeal 18F-FDG PET/CT.

This study aims to investigate the impact of aggregation methods used for the generation of texture features on their robustness of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on 18F-FDG PET/CT images. 128 NPC patients were enrolled and 95 texture features were extracted for each patient including six feature families under different aggregation methods. For GLCM and GLRLM features, six aggregation methods were considered. For GLSZM, GLDZM, NGTDM and NGLDM features, three aggregation methods were considered. The robustness of the features affected by aggregation methods was assessed by the pair-wise intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Furthermore, the effects of discretization and partial volume correction (PVC) on the percent of ICC categories of all texture features were evaluated by overall ICC instead of the pair-wise ICC. There were 12 features with excellent pair-wise ICCs varying aggregation methods, namely joint average, sum average, autocorrelation, long run emphasis, high grey level run emphasis, short run high grey level emphasis, long run high grey level emphasis, run length variance, SZM high grey level emphasis, DZM high grey level emphasis, high grey level count emphasis and dependence count percentage. For GLCM and GLRLM features, 19/25 and 14/16 features showed excellent pair-wise ICCs varying aggregation methods (averaged and merged) on the same dimensional features (2D, 2.5D or 3D). Different discretization levels and partial volume corrections lead to consistent robustness of textural features affected by aggregation methods. Different dimensional features with the same aggregation methods showed worse robustness compared with the same dimensional features with different aggregation methods. Different discretization levels and PVC algorithms had a negligible effect on the percent of ICC categories of all texture features.

Challenges of parents and their child’s academic performance in modular distance learning

The study focuses on the challenges of parents and their child's academic performance in science in modular distance learning. In this descriptive-survey research design, data were gathered from 10 parents of grade four pupils in San Nicolas Elementary School using convenience sampling. Gathered data were systematically treated and analyzed using frequency, percentage count, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson-r correlation. Findings revealed that individual-related challenges such as supervision of child's studies, and poor teaching skills were the most significant challenges parents experienced in implementing modular learning. Parents disagreed that instructional and institutional challenges affect them in modular distance learning. The respondents' children performed satisfactorily in science during the first and second quarters of the school year. There was a moderately significant relationship between individual-related and instructional-related challenges. However, a weak significant relationship is surfaced between parents' institutional-related challenges and their child’s academic performance. No significant difference was observed regarding individualrelated, instructional-related, and institutional-related challenges when grouped according to their profile variables. The researcher concluded that this study on modular distance learning contributed fairly and minimally to students' science performance brought about by continued social and academic adjustment. School and parents' involvement in implementing modular learning is essential for improving the modality.

Hubungan Higiene Sanitasi Dengan Kontaminasi Escherichia coli dan Jumlah Total Kuman Pada Cincau Hitam di Pasar Tradisional Kota Semarang

Black grass jelly sellers at traditional market generally have less attention to hygiene and sanitation. That condition can cause the black grass jelly to be contaminated by bacteria, especially Escherichia coli that can cause diarrhea. The purpose of this study is to analyze higiene sanitation factors that are associated with total plate count and E.coli contamination on black grass jelly. The sample of this study are thirty black grass jelly sellers at 16 traditional market in Semarang that selected by using non-probability sampling with saturation sampling technique. Data analyses include descriptive and analytical by using fisher exact test. Descriptive analysis shows the percentage of total plate count in all black grass jelly are not eligible (100%), all samples are contaminated by E.coli (100%), black grass jelly sanitiation is not eligible (93,3%), seller hygiene is not eligible (93,3%), equipment sanitation is not eligible (93,3%), and enviromental sanitation is not eligible (96,7%). The result of statistical test by using fisher exact shows factor that is correlated with E.coli contamination is black grass jelly sanitation (p =0.002), whereas uncorrelated factors are seller hygiene (p=0.99), equipment sanitation (p=0.99), and environmental sanitation (p=0.99). The advice is that black grass jelly seller should pay more attention to hygiene and sanitation. People should be more careful when they buy black grass jelly. In addition, local health agencies should provide guidance to black grass jelly seller seller about hygiene and sanitation, and do the monitoring more strictly.

Students’ knowledge on the identification and use of physics laboratory apparatus in post-basic schools in Ilorin, Nigeria

Physics teaching and learning theoretically may not achieve its full objectives without the integration of laboratory activities. The study measures post-basic school students’ knowledge of identification and use of physics laboratory apparatus so as to ascertain their readiness for external examinations. The method adopted was descriptive survey of cross sectional type of research that enables data collection through measurement tool. One hundred and forty-three physics students’ check-lists were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency count and simple percentage). The findings of this study revealed that out of the commonly identified physics laboratory apparatus, students high strength was recorded in identifying the apparatus like retort stand, weight/mass, meter rule, pendulum bob, knife edge, optical pin, glass prism and test tube. The students show high strength in stating correct use of the apparatus like meter rule, stop watch, beaker, ammeter and voltmeter. It is recommended that pasting and displaying the apparatus pictures, name of the apparatus, its uses/functions beside it in the physics laboratory wall and early exposure of the students to laboratory activities will help the students in apparatus identification and prepare them for external examinations.

Diagnostic Utility and Thresholds for Commonly Obtained Serum and Synovial Markers Prior to Reimplantation in Periprosthetic Joint Infection

BackgroundAccurate diagnosis of persistent periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) during 2-stage exchange remains a challenge. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and thresholds of several commonly obtained serum and synovial markers to better guide reimplantation timing. MethodsThis was a retrospective review of 249 patients who underwent 2-stage exchange with antibiotic spacers for PJI. Serum and synovial markers analyzed included white blood cell (WBC) count, polymorphonuclear percentage (PMN%), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Serum markers analyzed were erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as percentage change in ESR and CRP from initial diagnosis to reimplantation. Area under the curve (AUC) analyses were performed to determine diagnostic accuracy of detecting PJI. ResultsIn TKAs, synovial ANC and WBC had the highest AUCs (0.76), with thresholds of 2,952 and 3,800 cells/μL, respectively. The next best marker was serum CRP (0.73) with a threshold of 5.2 mg/dL. In THAs, serum CRP had the highest AUC (0.84) with a threshold of 4.3 mg/dL, followed by synovial PMN% (0.80) with a threshold of 77%. Percentage change in serum ESR or CRP provided low diagnostic value overall. ConclusionRegarding serum markers, CRP consistently performed well in detecting persistent PJI in patients with antibiotic spacers. Absolute values of serum CRP and ESR had better diagnostic value than trends for guiding reimplantation timing. Diagnostic performance differed with joint type; however, synovial markers outperformed serum counterparts. No marker alone can be utilized to diagnose residual PJI in these patients, and further work is needed in this domain.

Clinical Relevance of Interferon Regulatory Family-4 (IRF4) Expression in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell neoplasm with complex biology and heterogenous course. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) transcription factor, important key developmental stages of hematopoiesis, represents an excellent potential therapeutic target. The present work aimed to investigate the expression status of IRF4 in the diagnostic bone marrow biopsy (BMB) cores of MM patients. This prospective study included 62 newly diagnosed MM patients. The expression of IRF4 was assessed in the BMB by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The data were correlated to the patients’ clinico-pathological features, response to treatment and survival rates. IRF4 expression was observed in 50% of MM patients (31/62). IRF-4 positive patients were more frequently male patients (P = 0.018), have immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) translocations (P = 0.05) and tended to present with a higher platelets count (P = 0.07). Multiple myeloma patients presenting with urine M-protein had worse overall survival (OS) than negative cases (P = 0.012). Normocellular BM aspirate (BMA) was associated with better OS than hypercellular and hypocellular BMA (P = 0.006). Patchy distribution of plasma cells in BMB was associated with better disease-free survival (DFS) while diffuse infiltration had the worst (P = 0.019). Of note, after treatment, MM patients had significantly lower percentage of BMA plasma cells, platelet count, β2 microglobulin and creatinine levels (P = 0.037, < 0.001, 0.022 and 0.026, respectively). Had higher albumin level (P = 0.007), compared to initial investigations. No significant association was found between IRF4 expression and the patients’clinical outcomes. Patterns of plasma cells distribution in BMB, BMA cellularity and urine M-protein are prognostically relevant in MM.

Garlic Extract Enhances the Peripheral Blood Cellular Immune Responses in Male ICR Mice

We investigated the effects of garlic extract on the peripheral blood immune cells in mice treated with the extract for twenty days. The study was carried out on ten male ICR mice. The mice were divided into two groups. The control group received a distilled water and garlic extract group in which the mice received garlic extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg. b.w, for twenty days. Blood samples were collected on day ten and day twenty post inoculation (p.i) for differential leucocytic count (WBCs count and Lymphocytes %) and flowcytometric analysis. In comparison to the control group, garlic extract treatment induced a significant increase in WBCs count and lymphocytes percentage on day 10 and day 20 p.i. Furthermore, garlic extract administration to the experimental mice caused significant increase in the expression percentage of CD4, CD8 and γ-δ T cells when analyzed by flowcytometry on day 10 and increased dramatically on day 20 p.i. The WBCs count and lymphocytes percentage as well as the percentage of the expressed cells increased on day 20 more than their levels on day 10 p.i with a fixed dose of garlic extract. In conclusion, inoculation of garlic extract induced an increase in the immune responses of the cellular immunity in the peripheral blood circulation of mice. Scholars Middle East Publishers

A high high-density lipoprotein level is associated with Gleason score upgrade in Chinese patients diagnosed with high-grade prostate carcinoma

BackgroundThe high incidence of Gleason score upgrading (GSU) made urologists underestimate the disease, leading to the inaccurate therapeutic decision. The study aimed to explore relevant laboratory examination evidence associated with GSU.MethodsPatients diagnosed with prostate carcinoma undergoing radical prostatectomy in our center between January 2015 and December 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into GSU and NGSU groups according to the occurrence of GSU. Medical records were reviewed and analyzed between groups.ResultsA total of 130 patients were enrolled, including 52 patients diagnosed with GS = 6 (20 NGSU and 32 GSU) and 78 patients with GS = 7 (36 NGSU and 42 GSU). No significant differences in demographic characteristics were found between groups. An increased neutrophil count (OR = 1.326, 95% CI = 1.005–1.748) and a decreased percentage of lymphocytes (OR = 0.951, 95% CI = 0.904–1) were associated with GSU in the GS = 6 group, whereas a high HDL level (OR = 7.735, 95% CI = 0.998–59.957) was associated with GSU in GS = 7 group. Preoperative high neutrophile count and low lymphocyte percentage were correlated with GSU in patients with low-grade prostate cancer. In contrast, high HDL level was associated with GSU in patients with high-grade prostate cancer.ConclusionsThese laboratory examination data could provide urologists with information before making a therapeutic protocol.

Perceptions on pregnancy and parenthood among program directors in pediatric dentistry.

This cross-sectional study assessed the perceptions of pediatric dental residency program directors (PDs) regarding policies and attitudes on pregnancy and parenthood during residency training. A 28-item electronic survey was administered to PDs of pediatric dental residencies in the United States. Statistical tests were performed. Variables were reported as counts (percentages) and compared using Fischer's exact test and chi-squared tests at a significance level of 0.05. Forty-two of the 97 PDs completed the survey for 43% response rate. Almost all programs had a formal maternal leave policy, but perceptions and policies varied regarding the effects of both pregnancy and parenthood on residents during training. Chi-square results compared if parenthood had a negative impact on the well-being a female trainee versus a male trainee had a p-value<.05. There appeared to be a lack of national uniformity regarding program policies on parental leave. Most PDs perceived having a child during residency had at least one negative effect on their female residents. Finally, PDs were likely to perceive parenthood to adversely impact the well-being and work of female trainees more so than their male counterparts.

Application and curative effect of laparoscopic purse-string sutures in the treatment of adult acute complicated appendicitis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of laparoscopic purse-string sutures in adult complicated appendicitis treatment.MethodsThe data of 568 adult cases of complicated appendicitis treated by laparoscopic appendectomy at the Hefei Second People’s Hospital, Anhui Province, China, from September 2018 to September 2021 were analysed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: 295 cases in the laparoscopic purse-string suture treatment group (observation group) and 273 cases in the simple Hem-o-lok® clamp treatment group (control group). The baseline data collected included age, gender, preoperative body temperature, leukocyte count and percentage of neutrophils and the surgery time. The postoperative data collected included antibiotic treatment duration, drainage tube placement time and the incidence of complications.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the baseline data of the two groups, including age, gender, preoperative body temperature, leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage (all P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the postoperative hospital length of stay, duration of antibiotic treatment, the recovery time of peripheral white blood cell and neutrophil counts and the incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05).ConclusionPurse-string sutures can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications after a laparoscopic appendectomy for adult acute complicated appendicitis. There was faster postoperative recovery when patients’ appendiceal stumps were treated with laparoscopic purse-string sutures.

Internal Audit and Operational Performance in Public Teaching Hospitals in Oyo State Nigeria

The paper examined the effect of internal audit on operational performance in public teaching hospitals in Oyo state Nigeria. The study proxy health performance which is dependent variable by medical equipment utilization and internal audit which is independent variable was proxy by internal audit independence, staff competence, management involvement and the scope of work. The data was collected through the administration of questionnaire directly to the ninety nine (95) respondents. Data collected was analysed using percentage counts, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression technique. The result showed that internal audit is significant to the operational performance of public teaching hospital in Oyo State Nigeria. It was recommended that the management of public teaching hospital should make fund available for internal audit department to carry out their duties as deem fit and public teaching hospitals should be required by law to allow government information to be publicly published.

Parents and Their needs having children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD): An assessment through NIMH- Family Needs Schedule

Parenting a child with disability, whether a child has a physical disability, a learning disability, an emotional difficulty, or a developmental disorder, can require the development of particular skills, such as caregiving or advocacy, as well as a time and energy commitment that may put careers, marriages, and relationships with other children in danger. Researchers have extensively researched parenting over the years. But, in recent years, it has been noticed that this parenting study has placed a greater emphasis on constructive methods. The present study aimed to understand and assess the needs of parents who have children with Intellectual and Developmental Disability. The main objective of the study is to assess the needs of parents having children with Intellectual and Developmental Disability. Twenty parents (both mother and father) were included in the study as sample from Shishumangal child development centre in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur district. The assessment was done by using NIMH-Family Needs Schedule (Parents) to measure needs of the parents. In the present study data were collected by Descriptive Survey method. The collected data were analysed by descriptive statistics and percentage count. The result of the study indicated that the majority of parents showed strong needs in the domain of information condition, child management, services available for their child, Govt benefits and legislation, financial needs, vocational planning, personal-emotional and personal-social relationships. Parents showed less expected needs towards the sexuality, marriage and hostel related information. Mothers showed more needs in the domain of child management and information condition; while fathers expressed needs in the domain of financial help, vocational planning and Govt benefits. This study contributes to a better understanding of parents' needs from their perspectives, as well as their descriptions of the strengths and gaps of the present system. A deeper comprehension of parents' demands could help communities execute government policies and service models more effectively and provide financial assistance to families with poor socioeconomic status.

Bioactivity of Trigonella foenum (Fenugreek) oil on immunological and biochemical response of Schistosoma mansoni infected miceBioactivity of Trigonella foenum (Fenugreek) oil on immunological and biochemical response of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

The effect of fenugreek oil (FO) on some parasitological, immunological, and biochemical parameters in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni were investigated. Chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of FO revealed that linoleic acid, (E,E)-4­decadienal, and isopropyl myristate are the major constituents of FO. The results showed that treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice with 0.15 ml of FO daily for 10 successive days exhibited a significant reduction in the number of S. mansoni male worms, and coupled worms as compared to an infected control group (p&lt;0.05). Regarding total egg counts and oogram patterns, FO effectively reduced the percentage of hepatic and intestinal egg counts, and elevated immature and dead eggs in ratios closely to praziquantel (PZQ) treated mice. Meanwhile, FO significantly elevated the levels of glutathione and co-enzyme Q-10 (COQ-10) up to 0.33±0.02 ng/ml and 0.28±0.02 ng/ml, respectively. However, when accompanied with PZQ, COQ-10 level was closer to that of the normal control group (0.37 ± 0.021 ng/ml). The result also showed that FO significantly reduced levels of lipid per-oxidation (0.165±0.01 ng/ml) and vascular endothelial growth factor (0.25±0.02 pg/ml) as compared to the PZQ-treated group (0.234±0.02 ng/ml and 0.31±0.008 pg/ml, respectively). Moreover, FO recovered normal values of caspase-7, and when accompanied with PZQ, annexin-V was also significantly reduced. However, treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice with PZQ led to a significant increase in the level of annexin-V as compared to S. mansoni-infected mice group (p&lt;0.05). It can be concluded that FO may have a potential anti-schistosomal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Also, it may have a recovering effect on apoptotic parameters toward the normal values.

Diagnostic Significance of Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion

A pleural effusion is defined as eosinophilic when eosinophils represent ≥ 10% of the total nucleated cell count, and accounts for approximately 10% of all pleural effusions. The diagnostic significance of eosinophilic pleural effusion has yet to be determined. Objective and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 65 patients with eosinophilic pleural effusion to evaluate the correlation between the percentage of eosinophils present in the pleural fluid and the benign or malignant nature of the effusion. An original aspect of current study was the evaluation of other variables in association with pleural eosinophilia, in particular pleural fluid lymphocytosis (≥ 50%), and the presence or absence of fever. Results: Data showed the trend towards a decrease in neoplastic incidence with increasing percentages of eosinophilic counts, although this correlation was not statistically significant. The presence of fever correlated with low incidence of neoplasms (10% of neoplastic effusions in patients with fever) and was the most significant variable (p=0.001), with a Negative Predictive Value of neoplastic disease of 90%, with sensitivity 92.6% and specificity 47.4%. When evaluated together with fever, eosinophils increased their discriminating sensitivity to the benign or malignant nature of the effusion but lost in specificity. When evaluated as absence or presence of lymphocytosis (≥50% lymphocytes), associated with eosinophilia, lymphocytes were significantly associated with the neoplastic nature of the effusion. Conclusions: the study showed that the finding of eosinophilic pleural effusion should not be considered an indicator of benignity of the effusion; the association of other parameters with eosinophilia, lymphocytosis of the pleural fluid and fever can provide more precise prognostic indications; a high percentage of eosinophils, the absence of lymphocytosis and the presence of fever would seem to be associated with a low probability of a neoplastic nature of the effusion.