Background: Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] results in left ventricular adverse remodeling [LVR]. Increased left ventricular wall stress [LVWS] after Myocardial infarction [MI] initiates this process. Predicting the risk of future major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE] after STEMI has been a subject of great interest. There is a lack of imaging-based data for risk stratifying post-STEMI patients' clinical outcomes at this time. As a result, improvements in echocardiography are urgently needed to identify objectively measurable echocardiographic markers for improved risk stratification.The Aim of the work: This study aimed to study the relation between echocardiography-derived LVWS in non-diabetic patients presented with first acute anterior STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention with the MACE. Patients and Methods: The current study was a prospective cohort study that took place between January 2022 and November 2022 and included 78 non-diabetic patients who presented with acute anterior STEMI treated by primary PCI. LVWS was calculated within 72 hours by pre-discharge echocardiogram using volume-based formulas. Patients were divided into two groups based on their three months follow-up data following primary PCI; Group I: MACE-negative, and Group II: MACE-positive.Results: MACE-positive patients [n=18] had significantly higher end-systolic wall stress [ESWS] levels 94.95 ± 31.27 vs 77.20 ± 24.37 in MACE-negative patients [P value = 0.013*]. A receiver operating characteristics [ROC] curve was performed for the ESWS [KPa] as a predictor for MACE. The findings revealed an area under the curve of 0.674, the cut-off value for predicting MACE = 85.35 [KPa], with 66.97% sensitivity, 65% specificity, 86.7% Negative predictive value, 36.4 % positive predictive Value [P value = 0.026].Conclusion: Echocardiography-based left ventricular systolic wall stress is a possibly useful prognostic tool for risk-stratifying non-diabetic STEMI patients early after MI and predicting MACE.

Background: Cardiac pacing witnessed many advances in the last years, with favorable outcome of saving more lives in different heart diseases associated with conduction abnormalities. Devices usually programmed by manufacturers. However, it did not provide optimal pacing and manual programming was advised. Aim of the work: This study aimed to assess the value of manual optimization of atrioventricular delay (AVD) in dual chamber pacemaker (DDD) patients in comparison of default AVD, using three-dimensional Echocardiography.Patients and Methods: Fourty patients with DDD were included. They received pacemaker due to high grade of atrioventricular (AV) block. All were submitted full history taking, general and cardiac clinical examination in a systematic pattern. All were subjected to resting 12-leads electrocardiography, and the pacemaker position was confirmed by chest X ray. Dual-chamber pacemakers were interrogated and programmed using St. Jude Medical, Inc. programmer. All patients were checked after 6 weeks and outcome was compared to original values. Results: Patient’s age ranged between 29 and 66 years, and 27 (67.5%) were males. Complete heart block was the principal indication for initial pacing (87.5%) followed by Mobitz type II heart block (12.5%). Three-dimensional echocardiography revealed that, manual pacing was associated with significant increase of end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction and velocity time integral (224.0 ±87, 93.0±34.8, 63.9±3.84 and 63.9±3.84 vs. 187.0±80.6, 75.8±19.4, 60.1±3.09 and 29.2 + 12.7, respectively). Symptom’s improvement revealed that, 21 (77.7%) patients who presented with dyspnea, 15 (83.3%) in dizziness and 20 (90.5%) in the palpitation.Conclusion: It is recommended to use AVD optimization for all patients of DDD pacemakers. This may be associated with long-term benefit mainly for the systolic functions. Echocardiography is the gold standard of timing optimization through mitral flow Doppler as its waves could mark for atrial contraction which is used for AV timing optimization.

We aimed to compare two-dimension transthoracic echocardiogram (2D-TTE) and three-dimension transthoracic echocardiogram (3D-TTE) measurements of the aortic annular diameter using multi-detector CT (MDCT) as a gold standard. This prospective observational study included 50 consecutive patients who came to the cardiology department, Al-Azhar University Hospital, New Damietta, for MDCT coronary angiography. The study was carried out in the period from July 2016 until February 2017. All patients were subjected to informed consent, clinical history, physical examination, transthoracic echocardiography 2D and 3D, and MDCT. The aortic annular areas measured by MDCT and 3D-TTE were significantly larger than areas by 2D-TTE. A good correlation (r = 0.82) was observed between the areas obtained by 3D-TTE and MDCT; however, the correlation between the values by 2D-TTE and MDCT was rough (r = 0.30). Eccentricity Index (EI) values in 28% of the patients were greater than 0.1, that is, the aortic annulus was elliptical. Accuracy of aortic annular diameter measurement by 3D-TTE was superior to that by 2D-TTE. Three-D TTE and MDCT revealed that the shape of the aortic annulus was elliptical in 28% to 30% respectively of study subjects. There is a strong concordance between the minimum and the maximum diameter determine by 3D-TTE and MDCT.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are among the traditional methods used in cancer treatment and they cause toxicity to normal cells. The purpose of the present study is to determine the possible protective role of Nigella sativa seed (2 g/kg) extract as a potent antioxidant in improving the toxicity of doxorubicin (DOX) and/or gamma radiation in albino rats. The rats were injected with DOX (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and/or exposed the rats to irradiation (2 Gy, whole-body) weekly, for four consecutive weeks. The antioxidant treatments were used daily via oral gavages for two weeks protection period and during the experiment (4 weeks). The DOX and/or irradiated groups recorded a severe reduction of antioxidant parameters (superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione) as well as increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and changes of liver function parameters (transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, total protein and albumin as compared with control rats. Administration of Nigella sativa seed extract to DOX and/or irradiated rats indicates significantly enhanced the oxidative stress markers and liver function parameters as compared with DOX and/or irradiated rats. In conclusion, Nigella sativa seed extract fruit extract used to decrease the bad side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Background: Myocardial infarction is an acute emergency which needs rapid assessment, especially for myocardial reperfusion. Aim of the work: To evaluate left ventricle [LV] twist/torsion for assessment of myocardial reperfusion after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] and to explore its relationship with LV function after 3 months. Patients and Methods:Forty-five patients with acute STEMI [30 anterior and 15 inferior] with a single culprit lesion were analyzed against 50 healthy subjects. Apical and basal rotations and LV twist/torsion were measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging. Results: LV twist [13.5±2.4 vs 20±0.5] and LV torsion [1.8±0.2 vs 2.9±0.1, P=0.001] were reduced in all STEMI patients. Basal rotation was larger in anterior STEMI than in inferior STEMI and control [-8.09±0.7 vs -3.1±1.03 -6.2±0.6 successively], while apical rotation was significantly lower in anterior STEMI. LV twist and torsion were lower in anterior vs inferior STEMI [11.9±1.1 vs 16.6±1 and 1.7±0.1 vs 2.1±0.1, P=0.001 respectively]. There was moderate positive correlation between baseline LV torsion and LV ejection fraction at 3 months [r=0.500, P=0.001], while negative moderate correlation between baseline LV torsion and LV volumes [LV end-diastolic volume & LV end-systolic volume] [r=-0.444 & r=-0.479 respectively] was reported. Post reperfusion, the best cut-off point of LV torsion predicting LV remodeling was 1.9 with sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 82.8% [AUC =0.85]. Conclusion: Global LV torsion was decreased in acute STEMI patients, soon after reperfusion it showed marked improvement in LV torsion/twist. LV torsion early after reperfusion can predict LV remodeling at 3 months follow up.

Background: End-stage renal disease is a global public health burden bearing high morbidity and mortality, and cardiovascular (CV) disease is a major cause of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Aim of the study: detection the effect of electrolyte disturbance on cardiac rhythm during hemodialysis session in chronic hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: This prospective observational study included 42 chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients on regular HD came to the hemodialysis center of Al-Azhar University Hospital New Damietta. The study was carried out over a period from July 2017 to May 2018. All the patients received HD three times per week, and each HD session was performed for 3.5–4.5 hours with a blood flow rate of 250–300 mL/min and dialysate flow of 500 mL/min, Standard 12 lead ECGs (10 mm/mv and 25 mm/sec) were done for all patients before and after HD, and Two dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed for all patients after HD session. Results: This study included 42 patients with chronic renal failure on regular HD, their age ranged between 31 and 58 years (mean±SD = 46.7±8.7 years), males represented 85.7% of them, 28.6% were diabetics, 90.5% were hypertensive and 9.5% had hepatitis C virus. There was statistically significant decrease of electrolyte levels after dialysis when compared to values before dialysis. QT interval and QTc were significantly decreased after dialysis while QT dispersion and QTc dispersion were significantly increased. Conclusion: Cardiac arrhythmia is a frequent finding in HD patients affecting 85.7% of our study population. The prevalence of AF among those patients is more than double its prevalence among general population. This increase in the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia especially AF seems to be due to electrolyte disturbance and autonomic disturbance as reflected by QT dispersion.

Background: end-stage renal disease is a global public health burden bearing high morbidity and mortality, and cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients. Objective: the aim of this study is detection of arrhythmia and blood pressure variability in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Patients and Methods: this prospective observational study included 100 chronic renal failure patients on regular HD came to the hemodialysis center of Al-Azhar University Hospital, New Damietta and Kafr Elsheikh General Hospital. The study was carried out over a period of eight month from July 2017 until September 2018. Results: the intradialytic (ID) blood pressure was normal in 38%, ID hypertension was reported in 44% and ID hypotension was reported in 18% of HD patients, also we found that arrhythmia was developed in 84% of HD patients and the prevalence of arrhythmia was VES in 56%, PAC in 50%, SVT in 4%, AF in 8.0%, sinus tachycardia in 26% and sinus bradycardia in 20%. The sympathetic over activity (LF/HF ratio < 1.5) was reported in 38%; and high risk standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) was reported in 22% and moderate risk in 70.0% while low risk was reported in 8.0% of HD patients. Conclusion: cardiac arrhythmias are common findings in patients with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis.

Background: Previous studies revealed that right ventricle apex pacing with different modes may yield abnormal electrical activity and left ventricle dyssynchrony.Aim of the work: To evaluate systolic function of left ventricle and mechanical dyssynchrony with different modes of pacing using real time three dimensional echocardiography [the RT3DE] and tissue Doppler imaging [TDI].Patients and Methods: The study included thirty-five individuals with permanent dual chamber pacemaker with atrial leads placed in right atrial appendage and right ventricular leads placed in right ventricular apex, the pacemakers were programmed to different modes. Imaging parameters were obtained following pacing for 24 hours in each mode.Results: The results revealed that the RT3DE and TDI-derived dyssynchrony indices in the atrial demand pacing [AAI] mode were significantly lower than those in the dual chamber demand pacing [DDD] and ventricular demand pacing [VVI] modes; however, there was no significant difference between the DDD and VVI modes. Also, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] during AAI and DDD modes was significantly higher than that during VVI mode; however, there was no significant difference between the DDD and AAI modes. There were negative correlations between LVEF and Ts-MD and Ts-SD, and there was positive strong correlation between RT3DE and TDI-derived dyssynchrony indices.Conclusions: Left ventricular systolic synchronicity in AAI mode was superior to that in DDD and VVI modes. Left ventricular ejection fraction in the AAI and DDD pacing modes are superior to that in the VVI mode.

Background: Echocardiography increasingly used for diagnosis of right atrial dilatation. Three dimensional is superior than two dimensional echocardiography. However, advances and new windows continues to emerge to increase its accuracy Aim of the work: to show the feasibility and accuracy of right parasternal approach and its usefulness in qualitative and quantitative assessments of right atrium in patients with right atrial dilatation in comparison with transesophageal approach. Patients and Methods: The study included thirty patients with right atrial dilatation. All patients underwent full history taking, clinical, 12-lead electro-cardiography and echocardiography. Transesophageal Echocardio-graphy was used as a gold standard for the accuracy of the right parasternal approach. Results: The study includes 30 patients with right atrial dilatation the right parasternal (RPS) view obtained in 18 patients (60%), and not obtained in 12 patients (40%). There was significant decrease of SVC anteroposterior minimal diameter (Min AP), crista terminalis (CT) width, CT length, right atrial appendage (RAA) base Maximum diameter and RAA base Minimum diameter, in 2D Echocardiography when compared to 3D Echocardiography. On the other side, there was no statistically significant difference in Right parasternal approach (3D) and Transesophageal approach. Conclusions: Parasternal approach is feasible in imaging right heart structures. In addition, three dimensional TTE had an incremental value over two dimensional TTE in the assessment of these structures

The present work was designed to evaluate the protective role of date palm extract (DPE) as an antioxidant against toxicity induced with different doses; 1/5 LD50 and 1/10 LD50 of the methomyl. The changes in antioxidant parameters (SOD and CAT activities and GSH concentration) in addition to level of TBARS as an index of lipid peroxidation and NO concentration were investigated. In addition, the alteration in liver functions (ALAT, ASAT, ALP, TBIL,GGT, albumin, globulin and total proteins) was assessed. Also, some hematological parameters such as RBCs, WBCs count, lymphocyte, monocytes, neutrophils, platelets count, Hb concentration and HCT were measured. A patch of 42 male Wistar albino rats of average weight (125±5g) at the beginning of the experiment was divided into 7 main groups; I: control group, II:DPE group, rats were treated orally with DPE at a dose (1 g/k/day)for 2 weeks, III: DPE group, rats were treated orally with DPE at a dose (1 g/k/day) for 4 weeks. Methomyl groups; IV: rats were intoxicated with a 1/5LD50 for 2 weeks V: rats were intoxicated with a 1/10LD50for two weeks, VI: groups treated with DPE for two weeks as a protection before given DPE and methomyl1/5LD50for two weeks, VII: groups treated with DPE for two weeks as a protection before given DPE and methomyl 1/10LD50for two weeks. Each group contains 6 rats. The results showed a significant rise in TBARS, NO, ALAT, ASAT, ALP, GGT, and TBIL, while a significant reduction in some other parameters (CAT, SOD, GSH, Total protein, albumin).Significant decreases in some hematological parameters (RBCs, Hb, HCT and PLT, WBCs and lymphocytes) were reported. Also, the results showed a significant increase in neutrophils and eosinophils atin rats intoxicated with methomyl when compared to the control groups. The administration of the DPE ameliorated the deteriorative effects of the methomyl. In conclusion, the results obtained revealed that the administration of DPE had hepatoprotective effects against methomyl insulet in male Wistar albino rats by inhibiting oxidative stress through ROS scavenging activity and improvement of the biochemical markers.

Two fatty acids (punicic and jacaric acids) found in pomegranate and jacaranda seed oils have been used as anticancer agents. Punicic and jacaric acids are long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here we investigated the potential ability of punicic and jacaric acids to affect growth of both androgen dependant prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) and androgen independent prostate cancer cell line (PC-3). Apoptosis and disrupted cellular mitochondrial membrane potential were induced at 30 and 100μM punicic and jacaric acids in prostate cancer cell lines compared to untreated control cells. We also investigated whether lipid oxidation was required for the function of punicic and jacaric acids by adding 20 μM of the antioxidant tocotrienol to the assays. This resulted in reversal of the effects of punicic acid on apoptosis and disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Finally, we evaluated the role of PKC signaling in the anti-cancer effects of punicic and jacaric acids by performing cell viability (WST-1) assay in the presence of the PKC inhibitor bisindolymaleimide I. Cell death that induced by punicic and jacaric acids was partially blocked in both the LNCap and PC-3 cells. These results suggest that punicic and jacaric acids have prostate cancer inhibitor properties that are dependent on lipid peroxidation and the PKC pathway. [Ahmed Gafar, Mohammed Bashandy, Sayed Bakry, Mahmoud A. Khalifa, and Walid Abu Shair. Punicic and Jacaric acids induce Mitochondrial dysfunction in prostate cancer cell lines. Life Sci J 2016;13(6):99-106]. ISSN: 1097-8135 (Print) / ISSN: 2372-613X (Online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 13. doi:10.7537/marslsj13061613.

Lithocholic acid (LCA) is toxic to human prostate cancer cells. We previously studied the effects of LCA on cell viability, cell proliferation and mitochondrial function in LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the induction of extrinsic apoptosis by LCA in androgen independent PC-3 and DU145 cells. In PC-3 and DU-145 cells, LCA triggered extrinsic apoptosis pathways and induced typical extrinsic apoptosis -related proteins, such TRIAL, FasL, FADD, DR5, DR4 and Cleaved caspase8. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with IETD AFC (10 μM), an inhibitor of Caspase 8 partially inhibited apoptosis that induced by LCA. Also, we found Death receptor (DR5) silencing partially Blocked LCA to induced cell death. Collectively, these results indicate that extrinsic apoptosis induced by LCA in PC-3 and DU-145 play a secondary role in cell death and there might be another cell surface receptor that LCA triggers to induce cell death. [Ahmed Gafar, Mohammed Bashandy, Sayed Bakry, Mahmoud A. Khalifa, and Walid Abu Shair. Lithocholic acid induces extrinsic apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines. Cancer Biology 2016;6(2):63-68]. ISSN: 2150-1041 (print); ISSN: 2150-105X (online). http://www.cancerbio.net. 9. doi:10.7537/marscbj06021609.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in patients with diabetes mellitus. Microalbuminuria (MAU) is defined as persistent subclinical elevation of urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), which is insufficient to be demonstrated by reagent strips. Objective: to determine the correlation between microalbuminuria and the severity of coronary artery stenosis assessed by Gensini score in patients with type II diabetes mellitus Patients and methods: This study included sixty-one patients with type II diabetes mellitus and suspected coronary artery disease that underwent elective coronary angiography in Al-Azhar University Hospital, New Damietta, during the period between October 2013 and October 2014. Patients were classified into two groups based on the level of urinary albumin: creatinine ratio (UACR): Group I included 32 patients (52.5 %) with microalbuminuria (UACR level ranging from 30 to less than 300 mg/g), and Group II included 29 patients (47.5 %) with normoalbuminuria (UACR level less than 30 mg/g). All patients were subjected to full history taking,clinical assessment, standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography,laboratory investigations, andcoronary angiography. Results: This study showed that UACR and Gensini score increased with age. There was a significant positive correlation between UACR and total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c), while there was a significant negative correlation with HDL-C and smoking. There was a significant positive correlation between Gensini score and urinary albumin level. The Gensini score was correlated with LDL- C and no correlation with total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) or smoking. In the present study, the number of coronary vessels affected was higher in patients with microalbuminuria than those without microalbuminuria. The severity of coronary artery disease assessed by Gensini score was significantly higher in patients with microalbuminuria than those without microalbuminuria, and there was a correlation between UACR and Gensini score as a measurement of severity of coronary artery stenosis. Conclusion: In patients with type II DM, microalbuminuria can be used as a predictor for coronary artery disease severity.

Background: The pathogenic mechanism for the development of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation syndrome has not yet been fully elucidated. We sought to assess the impact of pre-excitation on LV systolic function and whether the use of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking is more helpful in detection of the LV dyssynchrony than conventional echo parameters in these patients.Methods: This observational case control study was carried out on adults with manifest pre-excitation syndromes. A detailed echocardiographic assessment was performed including TDI and speckle tracking examination.Results: Our study patients were divided into two groups, group 1: with lateral accessory pathways (AP) (23 patients aged 31.65 +/- 6.5 years), group 2: with septal AP (25 patients, 34.84 +/- 10.8 years). Echocardiography showed a lower ejection fraction (EF) in group 2 than in group 1 (0.60 +/- 0.07% in group 1 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.08% in group 2, p= 0.000). The radial strain dyssynchrony index was higher in group 2 than in group 1 (58.78 +/- 33.47 vs. 139.52 +/- 21.14 ms; p< 0.0001) with a significant negative correlation with EF (r = -0.8, p= 0.000). Dyssynchrony detection was higher using speckle tracking technique than M mode/Doppler methods (p= 0.006).Conclusion: Patients with pre-excitation syndrome may have depressed LV function unrelated to tachyarrhythmia, especially if the AP has a septal location. This dysfunction may be associated with the LV dyssynchronus contraction caused by pre-excitation. The use of TDI and speckle tracking echocardiographic techniques may be associated with an increase in the identification of manifest pre-excitation patients with significant LV dyssynchrony. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

The influence of the aetiology of systolic heart failure (HF) on the potential benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is still unclear. We aimed at comparing the response to CRT among patients with dilated (DCM) versus ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and checking the possibility that CRT implantation may avoid some patients the need for defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Patients and Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with advanced systolic HF who had CRT implantation and were followed-up for at least 6 months. Results: The 1 st group included 51 patients aged 51.94± 10.84 years who had DCM. The 2nd group included 17 patients aged 52.71 ± 10.61 years who had ICM. During the follow-up period, 42 patients (82.4%) of group 1 showed good response to CRT vs. 4 patients (23.5%) of group 2 (p=0.00). About 69% of the responders showed improvement of EF to >35%; all belonged to group 1. They had wider QRS than other patients in group 1 (157.06± 19.74 vs. 137.65± 18.38; p=0.001). Sustained ventricular tachycardia and ICD shocks happened in 2 patients (4.1 %) of responders to CRT vs 6 patients (31.6%) of non responders (p=0.005), and occurred more among ICM (35.3%), p=0.002. Conclusion: Patients with DCM may benefit more than ICM patients from CRT implantation. The significant EF improvement after CRT implantation may avoid some patients with DCM the need for 1ry prevention ICD, specially patients with a significantly wide QRS before implantation. This may not be the case for ICM patients.

The present study was designed to determine the possible protective and therapeutic effects of olive oil, Ficus carica andboth against radiation induced oxidative stress and biochemical changes in liver of albino rats. A patch of 114 male Wisteralbino rats averaged weights 120±5 g at the beginning of the experiment were divided into 8 main groups and 19 subgroups according to the treatment and requirements of the experiment. Irradiation was performed by whole body exposure of rats to an acute single dose gamma radiation of 6 Gy. Irradiated rats received, via gavage, extra virgin olive oil (7.6 ml/kg b.wt), extract of Ficus carica fruit (1 g/kg b.wt) and the combined supplementation of both Ficus carica (1 g/kg b.wt) and extra virgin olive oil (7.6 ml/kg b.wt) before and/or after radiation exposure. Six rats were sacrificed on the 1st and 15th day post irradiation exposure at the control, treated and pretreated irradiated subgroups. In addition, six rats were sacrificed from the post-treated irradiated subgroups on the 15th day post irradiation exposure.In the present study, γ- irradiation induced dramatic results of all parameters and sever antioxidant and detoxification enzyme depletion. Exposure to γ- radiation resulted in a significant elevation of some hepatic parameters (TBARS, AOPP, SOD, ASAT, ALAT, and ALP) and a significant decrease in some other parameters (CAT, GSH and NO). Moreover, the present study showed a significant decrease in total protein, and albumin on the 1st and 15th day post-irradiation as compared to the control. The administration of the olive oil or Ficus carica or both had a beneficial result against the deleterious effects of γ-irradiation. In addition, all treatments showed a significant increase in TBARS and AOPP levels, enhance SOD and CAT activities, and improve GSH and NO concentrations in the liver homogenate. Furthermore, significant amelioration in the serum liver function enzymes activities (ASAT, ALAT and ALP), total protein, and albumin were observed in comparison to irradiated rats. A better ameliorative effect was noticed with the combined extra virgin olive oil and Ficus carica treatments that revealed the synergistic effect between them. In conclusion, according to the results obtained the administration of the olive oil or Ficus carica or both provides considerable radioprotective and radiotherapeutic effects against whole body γ- radiation in male Wister albino rats by preventing oxidative stress through ROS scavenger.

BACKGROUND:Postoperative atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia after coronary artery bypass grafting, with a reported incidence of 10% to 60%. Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic data, especially the atrial electromechanical interval, predict postoperative atrial fibrillation in elective coronary artery bypass patients.METHODS:A prospective study evaluated preoperative clinical and echocardiographic data in 192 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass from 2010 to 2012.RESULTS:18 (9.37%) patients developed postoperative atrial fibrillation. Compared to patients without postoperative atrial fibrillation, these 18 had significantly longer intensive care unit and hospital stays, they were significantly older (58.62 ± 10.02 vs. 53.22 ± 8.23 years; p = 0.02), with a larger left atrial volume (83.39 ± 8.31 vs. 55.47 ± 8.37 cm(3), p = 0.001), longer atrial electromechanical interval (133.67 ± 8.15 vs. 98.05 ± 6.71 ms p < 0.0001), and lower tissue Doppler imaging systolic velocity wave amplitude (6.6 ± 1 vs. 9.4 ± 2.2 cm·s(-1); p = 0.001); they also had a higher prevalence of hypertension (61.11% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.04). Using 115 ms as the cutoff value of atrial electromechanical interval enabled us to detect patients who developed postoperative atrial fibrillation with 100% sensitivity, 77% specificity, 78% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value.CONCLUSION:Older hypertensive patients are at higher risk of developing postoperative atrial fibrillation. Preoperative measurement of atrial electromechanical interval by tissue Doppler echocardiography is a useful predictor of postoperative atrial fibrillation in coronary artery bypass patients.

Background: The effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is reflected on both clinical and echocardiographic response. We sought to assess the behavior of FMR and the response to CRT implantation in relation to the baseline width of the QRS complex among patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).Patients and methods: This is a prospective observational case-control study, including forty patients with advanced DCM who had left bundle branch block (LBBB), QRS P 130 ms (group 1) and 10 patients with QRS < 130 ms (group 2) both with echocardiographic evidence of dyssynchrony and subjected to CRT in our center.Results: Evidence of response to CRT at 6 months, was observed in 31 patients (77.5%) of group 1 Vs 2 (20%) patients of group 2 (p. 0.001). MR improvement was higher among responders to CRT in 31/33 (93.9%) Vs 2/17 patients (11.7%) of the non responders (p. 0.003). FMR improvement was observed in 31 patients of group 1 (77.5%) Vs 2 patients of group 2 (20%) p. value 0.001.Conclusion: Among patients with DCM, the degree of FMR regression after CRT seems to be more clear in patients with a baseline QRS width P130 ms and this seems to be associated with better response of the patients to CRT. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.