Background and PurposeNeonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neurological handicap in developing countries. Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) CD34-positive (CD34+) stem cells exhibit the potential for neural repair. We tested the hypothesis that hUCB CD34+ stem cells and other cell types [leukocytes and nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs)] that are up-regulated during the acute stage of perinatal asphyxia (PA) could play a role in the early prediction of the occurrence, severity, and mortality of HIE.MethodsThis case-control pilot study investigated consecutive neonates exposed to PA. The hUCB CD34+ cell count in mononuclear layers was assayed using a flow cytometer. Twenty full-term neonates with PA and 25 healthy neonates were enrolled in the study.ResultsThe absolute CD34+ cell count (p=0.02) and the relative CD34+ cell count (CD34+%) (p<0.001) in hUCB were higher in the HIE patients (n=20) than the healthy controls. The hUCB absolute CD34+ cell count (p=0.04), CD34+% (p<0.01), and Hobel risk scores (p=0.04) were higher in patients with moderate-to-severe HIE (n=9) than in those with mild HIE (n=11). The absolute CD34+ cell count was strongly correlated with CD34+% (p<0.001), Hobel risk score (p=0.04), total leukocyte count (TLC) (p<0.001), and NRBC count (p=0.01). CD34+% was correlated with TLC (p=0.02).ConclusionshUCB CD34+ cells can be used to predict the occurrence, severity, and mortality of neonatal HIE after PA.
Objectives:
The aim was to find out the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among female students in Ain Shams University, Cairo, and to investigate associations between substance use and some selected sociodemographic factors.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 600 female students in their final year of college was recruited from six faculties of Ain Shams University; 3 practical faculties (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) and 3 theoretical faculties (commerce, arts, law), 100 students from each. They completed the Structured Questionnaire for the Detection of Drug Intake and the Assessment of Sociodemographic Data which is a self-administered questionnaire used for the detection of substance use among university students.
Results:
The most commonly used substance was illicit drugs (9.8%), followed by tobacco (9%). Tobacco smoking was more prevalent between faculty of arts students and tobacco and cannabis use were more prevalent among theoretical faculties students. Being from Cairo, high family income, high daily pocket money, interneting as the main leisure time activity, and having friends or close relatives with substance use were positively associated with substance use among female university students.
Conclusion:
Illicit drugs were the most common substance used among female university students in Egypt. Substance use was influenced by sociodemographic factors; faculty, form of study, residence and living arrangement, parental education, income, leisure time activities, and having friends or relatives with substance use.
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