Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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The present study aimed to investigate the molecular characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus; GBS) strains isolated from newborns with invasive neonatal infections and healthy newborns in Poland. ⋯ The investigated GBS isolates originating from infections in newborns and healthy neonates represented serotype III in more than half of the cases and differed from one another in terms of resistance to macrolides, ST type affiliation and the presence of genes encoding surface proteins from the Alp family. Further comparative genetic research on a larger number of strains is necessary for epidemiological investigation and vaccine development.
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Serum paraoxonase 1 activity and oxidative stress in pediatric patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stress and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) levels in children with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) compared to healthy controls, and to examine the association of demographical with oxidative stress. ⋯ The TOS and OSI levels were higher and the TAS and PON1 levels were lower in pediatric patients with pulmonary TB when compared to healthy controls. This indicates greater oxidative stress in the patients.
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To investigate the role of desert hedgehog (Dhh) in a neurodevelopmental disorder known as autism. ⋯ The Dhh serum level of patients with autism was lower than that of controls, probably indicating that the serum level of Dhh might be implicated in the physiology of autism. However, this finding should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed with larger populations.
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Case Reports
An unexpected complication of bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy: arteriovenous fistula.
To report a case of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) following bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy. ⋯ This case shows that clinicians should be aware of AVF, especially in cases with refractory bleeding after bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy despite normal blood coagulation parameters.
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To measure the prevalence of anti-rubella IgG and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women in Kuwait in order to assess the effectiveness of the current vaccination programs. ⋯ The prevalence of both anti-rubella IgG and HBsAg among pregnant women in Kuwait was relatively high. However, about 11.6% of pregnant women in Kuwait remain susceptible to rubella infection and hence congenital infection and fetal malformation.