Background: Spinal dysraphism represents a wide spectrum of congenital abnormalities of the spine. Myelomeningocele is considered the most common malformation and the most common we saw in our community, with its morb...Background: Spinal dysraphism represents a wide spectrum of congenital abnormalities of the spine. Myelomeningocele is considered the most common malformation and the most common we saw in our community, with its morbidity problems seen commonly in the postoperative period. ASQ-3<sup>TM</sup> Scores are the ages and stages questionnaire, third edition, and represent a tool to assess the development progress, especially in toddlers. Objectives: Evaluation of neurodevelopmental outcome among Sudanese toddlers with spinal dysraphism after surgical closure with or without a VP shunt using ASQ-3<sup>TM</sup> Scores. Methodology: This is a retrospective hospital-based study of 84 patients who underwent myelomeningocele repair at the National Center for Neurological Sciences (NCNS) during the period from 2017 up to 2019. Data were collected through a constructed questionnaire, including ASQ-3<sup>TM</sup> Scores. Data were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer program. Version 25. Results: 84 patients were included in this study;all patients were diagnosed with spinal dysraphism. Out of them, 51 (60.7%) were 2 years old, 33 (39.3%) were 3 years old, 45 (53.6%) were male, 45 (53.6%) of patients mothers attended ANC irregularly, and 54 (64.3%) their mothers didn’t receive folate supplements. 44 (52.3%) of patients underwent MMC repair only, while 40 (47.7%) underwent MMC repair and VP shunt. The commonest postoperative complication was infection, reported in 12 (14.3%) of patients, followed by VP shunt revision in 9 (10.7%) of patients. Neurological assessment showed that the majority of patients need further assessment with a professional, 57 (67.9%) of children don’t walk, run, or climb like other toddlers as their parent’s state;also, half of patients (42, 50%) had medical problems, and 27 (32.1%) of their parent’s state that they do not talk like other toddlers their age. There was a statistically significant association between post-operative complications and communication development, problem-solving development, and personal social development (P value = 0.05), and a statistically significant association was found between age at repair and neurological development (P value = 0.05). Conclusion: The majority of patients had motor deficiency (particularly gross motor) and poor personal and social skills. Age at repair and postoperative complications significantly influenced the neurological development.展开更多
Abstract. Let D （U, V, W） be an oriented 3-partite graph with ｜ U ｜ = p, ｜V｜ = q and ｜W ｜ = r. For any vertex x in D（U,V,W）, let dx^＋ and dui^- be the outdegree and indegree ofx respectively. Define aui （o...Abstract. Let D （U, V, W） be an oriented 3-partite graph with ｜ U ｜ = p, ｜V｜ = q and ｜W ｜ = r. For any vertex x in D（U,V,W）, let dx^＋ and dui^- be the outdegree and indegree ofx respectively. Define aui （or simply ai） = q ＋ r ＋ dui^＋ - dui^-, bvj （or simply b j） = p ＋ r ＋ d^＋vj - d^-vj and cwk （or simply ck） =p ＋ q ＋ dwk^＋ -dwk^- as the scores of ui in U,vj in V and wk in W respectively. The set A of distinct scores of the vertices of D（U, V, W） is called its score set. In this paper, we prove that if a1 is a non-negative integer, ai（2 ≤ i ≤ n - 1） are even positive integers and an is any positive integer, then for n 〉 3, there exists an oriented 3-partite graph with the score set A ={a1,Σ2i=1 ai,…,Σni=1 ai}, except when A = {0, 2, 3}. Some more results for score sets in oriented 3-partite graphs are obtained.展开更多
Objective: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) would continue to concern medical society in the foreseeable future. Determining the extent of coronary luminal stenosis is a key factor in management of CAD. Methods presently...Objective: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) would continue to concern medical society in the foreseeable future. Determining the extent of coronary luminal stenosis is a key factor in management of CAD. Methods presently used are costly and pose certain dangers, ranging from nephrotoxicity to death. Long Pentraxin or Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) has been used to predict survival or atherosclerotic process, but not to identify coronary stenosis. Calcium Score has been used to this end with some success. Methods: Individuals with chronic stable angina, without evidence of Myocardial Infarction (MI), who were categorized as intermediate-risk after completing a treadmill exercise test, according to Duke Protocol, underwent cardiac catheterization. In addition, blood samples were drawn for coronary sinus PTX3, and also PTX3, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cholesterol, glucose and High-Density Lipo-protein (HDL) in peripheral circulation. Calcium Scores were calculated using Agatston Score and non-contrast multi-slice CT scan. Participants were divided according to the number of stenotic coronary arteries (patent, one-, two-and three-vessel disease). Results: We found that PTX3 levels in coronary sinus and femoral vein correlated with each other, after log-transforming the values. Also we found that PTX3 levels and Calcium Scores differed among individuals with triple-vessel involvement and individuals without significant stenosis in any of coronary arteries. No significant differences were observed, regarding hs-CRP levels. Conclusion: PTX3 levels in periphery correlate with those in coronary arteries, and this variable can be measured with a less invasive procedure. In addition to Calcium Score, PTX3 levels are different in our four groups. The combined contribution of PTX3 and calcium score may help us identify individuals with significant coronary artery stenosis without needing to perform cardiac catheterization in a select group of patients.展开更多
According to the European Association of Urology （EAU） guidelines, a life expectancy of〉 10 years is considered an important factor in the treatment of prostate cancer. The Charlson score is used to predict mortali...According to the European Association of Urology （EAU） guidelines, a life expectancy of〉 10 years is considered an important factor in the treatment of prostate cancer. The Charlson score is used to predict mortality based on comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between age, Charlson score and outcome in patients with cT3a prostate cancer. Between 1987 and 2004, 200 patients, who were with clinical T3a prostate cancer and who underwent radical prostatectomy （RP）, were previously detected by digital rectal examination （DRE）. Patients were categorized into two age groups （〈 65 and≥65 years old）. Patients were also divided into two groups according to Charlson score （ = 0 and ≥ 1）. Both age and Charlson score were analyzed regarding their predictive power of patients＇ outcomes. The mean follow-up period was 70.6 months, and the mean age of patients was 63.3 years. In all, 106 patients were 〈 65 years old and 94 patients were ≥65 years old. Age was a significant predictor of overall survival （OS）. A Charlson score of 0 was found in 110 patients, and of ≥ 1 in 90 patients. Charlson score was not a significant predictor of biochemical progression-free survival （BPFS）, clinical progression-free survival （CPFS） or OS. Cox multivariate analysis showed that margin status was a significant independent factor in BPFS, and cancer volume was a significant independent factor in CPFS. Charlson score does not influence the outcome in patients with clinical locally advanced prostate cancer. Age may influence OS. RP can be performed in motivated healthy older patients. However, the patients need to be counseled regarding possible surgery-related side effects, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which are age- and comorbidity-dependent.展开更多
文摘Background: Spinal dysraphism represents a wide spectrum of congenital abnormalities of the spine. Myelomeningocele is considered the most common malformation and the most common we saw in our community, with its morbidity problems seen commonly in the postoperative period. ASQ-3<sup>TM</sup> Scores are the ages and stages questionnaire, third edition, and represent a tool to assess the development progress, especially in toddlers. Objectives: Evaluation of neurodevelopmental outcome among Sudanese toddlers with spinal dysraphism after surgical closure with or without a VP shunt using ASQ-3<sup>TM</sup> Scores. Methodology: This is a retrospective hospital-based study of 84 patients who underwent myelomeningocele repair at the National Center for Neurological Sciences (NCNS) during the period from 2017 up to 2019. Data were collected through a constructed questionnaire, including ASQ-3<sup>TM</sup> Scores. Data were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer program. Version 25. Results: 84 patients were included in this study;all patients were diagnosed with spinal dysraphism. Out of them, 51 (60.7%) were 2 years old, 33 (39.3%) were 3 years old, 45 (53.6%) were male, 45 (53.6%) of patients mothers attended ANC irregularly, and 54 (64.3%) their mothers didn’t receive folate supplements. 44 (52.3%) of patients underwent MMC repair only, while 40 (47.7%) underwent MMC repair and VP shunt. The commonest postoperative complication was infection, reported in 12 (14.3%) of patients, followed by VP shunt revision in 9 (10.7%) of patients. Neurological assessment showed that the majority of patients need further assessment with a professional, 57 (67.9%) of children don’t walk, run, or climb like other toddlers as their parent’s state;also, half of patients (42, 50%) had medical problems, and 27 (32.1%) of their parent’s state that they do not talk like other toddlers their age. There was a statistically significant association between post-operative complications and communication development, problem-solving development, and personal social development (P value = 0.05), and a statistically significant association was found between age at repair and neurological development (P value = 0.05). Conclusion: The majority of patients had motor deficiency (particularly gross motor) and poor personal and social skills. Age at repair and postoperative complications significantly influenced the neurological development.
文摘Abstract. Let D （U, V, W） be an oriented 3-partite graph with ｜ U ｜ = p, ｜V｜ = q and ｜W ｜ = r. For any vertex x in D（U,V,W）, let dx^＋ and dui^- be the outdegree and indegree ofx respectively. Define aui （or simply ai） = q ＋ r ＋ dui^＋ - dui^-, bvj （or simply b j） = p ＋ r ＋ d^＋vj - d^-vj and cwk （or simply ck） =p ＋ q ＋ dwk^＋ -dwk^- as the scores of ui in U,vj in V and wk in W respectively. The set A of distinct scores of the vertices of D（U, V, W） is called its score set. In this paper, we prove that if a1 is a non-negative integer, ai（2 ≤ i ≤ n - 1） are even positive integers and an is any positive integer, then for n 〉 3, there exists an oriented 3-partite graph with the score set A ={a1,Σ2i=1 ai,…,Σni=1 ai}, except when A = {0, 2, 3}. Some more results for score sets in oriented 3-partite graphs are obtained.
文摘Objective: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) would continue to concern medical society in the foreseeable future. Determining the extent of coronary luminal stenosis is a key factor in management of CAD. Methods presently used are costly and pose certain dangers, ranging from nephrotoxicity to death. Long Pentraxin or Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) has been used to predict survival or atherosclerotic process, but not to identify coronary stenosis. Calcium Score has been used to this end with some success. Methods: Individuals with chronic stable angina, without evidence of Myocardial Infarction (MI), who were categorized as intermediate-risk after completing a treadmill exercise test, according to Duke Protocol, underwent cardiac catheterization. In addition, blood samples were drawn for coronary sinus PTX3, and also PTX3, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cholesterol, glucose and High-Density Lipo-protein (HDL) in peripheral circulation. Calcium Scores were calculated using Agatston Score and non-contrast multi-slice CT scan. Participants were divided according to the number of stenotic coronary arteries (patent, one-, two-and three-vessel disease). Results: We found that PTX3 levels in coronary sinus and femoral vein correlated with each other, after log-transforming the values. Also we found that PTX3 levels and Calcium Scores differed among individuals with triple-vessel involvement and individuals without significant stenosis in any of coronary arteries. No significant differences were observed, regarding hs-CRP levels. Conclusion: PTX3 levels in periphery correlate with those in coronary arteries, and this variable can be measured with a less invasive procedure. In addition to Calcium Score, PTX3 levels are different in our four groups. The combined contribution of PTX3 and calcium score may help us identify individuals with significant coronary artery stenosis without needing to perform cardiac catheterization in a select group of patients.
文摘According to the European Association of Urology （EAU） guidelines, a life expectancy of〉 10 years is considered an important factor in the treatment of prostate cancer. The Charlson score is used to predict mortality based on comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between age, Charlson score and outcome in patients with cT3a prostate cancer. Between 1987 and 2004, 200 patients, who were with clinical T3a prostate cancer and who underwent radical prostatectomy （RP）, were previously detected by digital rectal examination （DRE）. Patients were categorized into two age groups （〈 65 and≥65 years old）. Patients were also divided into two groups according to Charlson score （ = 0 and ≥ 1）. Both age and Charlson score were analyzed regarding their predictive power of patients＇ outcomes. The mean follow-up period was 70.6 months, and the mean age of patients was 63.3 years. In all, 106 patients were 〈 65 years old and 94 patients were ≥65 years old. Age was a significant predictor of overall survival （OS）. A Charlson score of 0 was found in 110 patients, and of ≥ 1 in 90 patients. Charlson score was not a significant predictor of biochemical progression-free survival （BPFS）, clinical progression-free survival （CPFS） or OS. Cox multivariate analysis showed that margin status was a significant independent factor in BPFS, and cancer volume was a significant independent factor in CPFS. Charlson score does not influence the outcome in patients with clinical locally advanced prostate cancer. Age may influence OS. RP can be performed in motivated healthy older patients. However, the patients need to be counseled regarding possible surgery-related side effects, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which are age- and comorbidity-dependent.
