Sciatic nerve; motor and sensory neurons of the rat. a horseradish peroxidase study

To determine the number, size, somatotopy and segmental distribution of HRP labeled motor and sensory neurons forming sciatic nerve in albino rat by using HRP technique. To fined out the distribution of neurons in sciatic nerve in albino rat in spinal cord from L[3]S[1]. The average number, size and segmental distribution of motor and sensory neurons were localized by HRP method of tracing neuronal connections. The motor neurons forming SCN ranged 10-60 microns and extended between the caudal part of L3 and rostral part of SI spinal segment. They occupied PPL,PL,C and aL subgroups. The peak frequency distribution of motor neurons was observed in L4-L6 spinal segment in SCN. The labeled sensory neurons whose peripheral process run in SCN were localized in L3-S1 ipsilateral Dorsal Root Ganglia [DRG]. No somatotopic organization of the cells was found in the DRG. The cells were distributed throughout the ganglia without forming groups. The somal diameters of sensory neurons forming SCN measured between 14-58 microns

association between anemia and urinary tract infection among the pregnant women in Baghdad

Severe anaemia predisposes to infection particularly during pregnancy especially reproductive tract and urinary tract infection .Iron deficiency anemia is an important public health problem which contributes to morbidity and mortality in pregnant women, even milder anemia can cause urinary tract infection. This study was carried out during February to May 2005 among 200 pregnant women during their routine visits to the maternal and child health centers in different parts of Baghdad city, they were inquired carefully about their ages parity, their gestational age and examined ohysically in addition to testing their blood for lib concentration and urine for presence of bacteruria. The sample was devided into two groups: The first group had confirmed diagnosis with UTl [100], the second normal group [100] considered as a control. The highest percentage of Urinary tract infected pregnants in the sample were nuillipara 44% and those in the second trimester showed highest percentage 57% of the sample. the mean blood I Ib was significantly lower in UTl cases [10.5 g/dl]. the anemic individuals [<11 g/ dl] constituted a significantly higher proportion [56%] of the UTl case and the risk of having anemia in cases, of UTl is 4.5 times that of the control. Grand multipara with UT] increased the risk of having anemia significantly by 6.8 times compared to other and pregnants with UTl in second trimester of pregnancy increased the risk of having anaemia 14.9 times. We can conclude that there is an association between urinary tract infection and anemia of different causes during preguancv there is a high risk of having anemia amongst the complicated pregnancy with UTl in association with their parity, age and gestational age

Clinical characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in adult Pakistani patients with co- existing diabetes mellitus

A review was made of the records of all patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus admitted over a 5- year period to a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Among 42358 the total number with both tuberculosis and diabetes was 173. The prevalence of tuberculosis patients, in diabetic patients was 10- times higher than in non- diabetic patients and prevalence increased with duration of diabetes. The lower lung field was most frequently involved, followed by the upper and middle. Bilateral involvement was seen in half and an associated pleural effusion in one- third of the patients. Cavitating lesions were seen in 32% of men and 15% of women

Frequency of auto-antibodies in newly diagnosed Bahraini type I diabetes mellitus children and their healthy siblings

Type 1 Insulin Dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] is a chronic autoimmune disease. It characterized by the presence of auto-antibodies at diagnosis and possibly several years before the onset of clinical manifestations. An investigation was conducted to ascertain the presence of auto-antibodies including anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies [anti-GAD], anti-islet cell antibodies, and anti-insulin antibodies in the serum of patients with newly diagnosed Type I diabetes mellitus and prior to the commencement of insulin treatment. The investigation was conducted within a period spanning from January of 1998 to June 2000 and comprised both cases of children diagnosed with IDDM at Salmaniya Medical Complex and their healthy siblings whose ages were below 15 years. A total of 84 patients were diagnosed during the course of the study period, as yet we were only able to obtain auto-antibody results from a total of 52 patients and 29 healthy siblings. A total of 27 patients out of 38 [71%] proved positive for anti-GAD antibodies, 14 out of 47 patients [28.9%] were positive for anti-islet cell antibodies, and a further 12 of 39 patients [30.8%] proved positive for anti-insulin antibodies. The frequency of auto-antibodies amongst the siblings of the index cases was found to be [24%] and [14.8%] for both anti-GAD and anti-islet antibodies respectively.The high percentage of positive auto-antibodies amid the index cases is consistent with pervious studies and observations. In conclusion, the data acquired indicates the usefulness of auto-antibodies in detecting highrisk healthy siblings of Type I diabetes mellitus patients

Standard of knowledge about their disease among patients with diabetes in Karachi, Pakistan

The aim of this study was to determine the standard of knowledge among people with diabetes. Two hundred and thirty patients were randomly chosen from outpatient clinics and a 34-item multiple choice questionnaire administered to them. The questionnaire was structured to assess knowledge about the disease state, diagnostic tests, complications and management. The average score of correct answers for the group was 40%. A significantly higher score correlated with younger age [16-30 years], educational status and regular follow-up with a diabetic clinic. There was no significant difference in the knowledge score between males and females or between those on oral hypoglycemic agents [OHA] and insulin. Fifty% of the patients could correctly answers questions regarding food and nutrition and only 60% were aware of target blood glucose levels for optimal control. It was alarming to learn that 75% of those on insulin did not know that using U-40 or U-100 insulin does not change the dose required. The study emphasizes the need for diabetes education at all levels, both for the patients as well as the health care providers to counter the pandemic of diabetes-related complications globally

Riboflavin nutritional status in pregnant Saudi females

The riboflavin status was assessed by the estimation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient [GRAC] in 82 pregnant Saudi females and 64 non-pregnant females [age matched] who served as controls. An AC value of 1.3 or above was considered a possible indicator of riboflavin deficiency. Among the pregnant females 53.7% had GRAC >/= 1.3 while in the non-pregnant group 26.6% had GRAC >/= 1.3. The difference in the two groups was statistically significant [p<0.05]. In the first, second and third trimester the prevalence of samples with GRAC >/= 1.3 was 56.25%, 56% and 51.2%, respectively. The mean GRAC in the pregnant females was 1.3 +/- 0.2 compared to 1.1 +/- 0.2 in the control group

Prevalence of carcinoma in situ and squamous dysplasis of the uterine cervix in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Historical risk factors of etiologic significance were evaluated in a seroepidemiological prosepective study of carcinoma in situ and squamous dysphasia of the uterine cervix among Saudi women in Riyadh. A total of 2, 476 women were screened with Papanicolaou smears, and blood samples and cervical swabs were taken serological study and tissue culture. The results of this investigation show that, although population-based incidence data for Saudi women are generally lacking, the rates of carcinoma in situ and squamous dysphasia of the uterine cervix are very low among Saudi. The related data indicate that in spite of their relatively low mean age first marriage, at onset of coitus, and at first pregnancy, and an exceptionally high pregnancy rate, the overwhelming majority of screened women had normal cytology [97.6%], while atypical squamous cells were detected in only 2.4% of the sample. Herpesvirus was isolated in 0.5% of the sample, while all these had normal cytology. The findings of this study are consistent with the results of other similar studies on the population-based data for low-risk groups; the very low rate of cervical malignancies may be ascribed to religious teaching which strongly discourages extramarital relationships, and which also results in low rates of illegitimacy and venereal disease

Effect of pregnancy on the level of hormones and biochemical analytes

This study was conducted on a group of health pregnant Saudi females to determine the changes taking place during different trimesters in the values of biochemical analyses, human placental lactogen and estriol. The hormones were analyzed by radiommunoassay and 18 biochemical analytes were estimated using Technico autoanalyzers SMAC and SMA-12. The results were grouped according to the trimesters, and mean and standard deviation obtained. The mean for each parameter in different trimesters was compared to the mean obtained in nonpregnant health Saudi females of the same used as controls. Alkaline phosphates, cholesterol and triglyceride increased almost one and one-half to three times the nonpregnant value while protein, albumin, bilirubin, creatinine, urea and calcium showed a decrease with gestational age. The values of electrolytes and transaminases showed fluctuations but no significant change. This study showed that normal ranges for different parameters during different stages of pregnancy established of Saudi females should be used for clinical decision making, and that normal ranges established for the Western population should be avoided since several differences are encountered between these populations

Polycystic ovarian disease a study of 14 cases

Fourteen cases of polycystic ovarian disease were diagnosed. The diagnosis was based on clinical presentation, laboratory data, and histological picture for the nine patients who had an ovarian wedge resection. The results of the treatment of these cases were discussed comparing the return of menstruation, ovulation and pregnancy rate between the group treated with clomiphene citrate and the group who failed to respond to clomiphene and were managed by ovarian wedge resection. The conclusive results of our series at both the diagnostic and therapeutic level were in agreement with findings of various authors. At the diagnostic level we found that although the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian disease is a clinical one, the elevated serum LH and testosterone [plasma] will support the diagnosis. The therapeutic value of clomiphene citrate is rather limited but we still believe that those cases diagnosed clinically as polycystic ovarian disease should not be subjected to invasive procedure before they were given at least six months course of clomiphene supplemented by LH. The medical literature and opinions of various authors are discussed regarding diagnosis, treatment and pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian disease

Ectopic pregnancy at Riyadh Maternity Hospital: a study of 45 cases

Forty-five cases of ectopic pregnancy were reported with an incidence of 1:742 pregnancies. Approximately forty percent [40%] of these patients gave positive past history of infertility, pelvic infection or abdominal operation. Eighty-five percent [85%] cases were among gravida 1-5 but nulliparous and grandmultipara were in the low risk group. In 88% of the cases, it was tubal ectopic, with 58.5% in the right fallopian tube. History of amenorrhea and low abdominal pain with tenderness were the presenting features in 95% of cases while vaginal bleeding was reported by 50%. Vaginal examination is singled out as of poor diagnostic value but laparoscopy was the best diagnostic procedure. The medical literature was reviewed in its relevance to the incidence, clinical presentation and aetiology