Prevalence Of Respiratory Symptoms And Pulmonary Function Status Of Restaurant Workers

@#The cooking process may emit toxic compounds and airway irritants from both the fuel combustion and cooking fumes which is harmful to the respiratory health among the restaurant workers. A cross-sectional study of 243 restaurant workers from the selected restaurants in Sungai Long, Malaysia was conducted. The standardized British Medical Research Council questionnaire on Respiratory Symptoms (1986) was used during the interview to access the symptoms and the spirometry test was performed to evaluate the pulmonary functions of the participants. The data of socio-demography and occupational characteristics were also collected. The most complaint respiratory symptoms by the restaurant workers were breathlessness, which accounted for 33.7%, followed by wheezing (14%). The mean values of all pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the restaurant workers were within the normal range (>80%), except for the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) (79.09%). The results of the bivariate statistical analysis, Chi-square, ANOVA and t-test, showed the determining factors of the respiratory health among the workers were workers’ age and gender in addition to the working duration and the ethnicity. The restaurant workers in Sungai Long were at risk of developing respiratory symptoms and lower pulmonary function values due to prolonged exposure to cooking fumes. Emphasis should be given to the safety and health of restaurant workers and health education should be provided to the restaurant workers and owners. Strategies to increase notification of such occurrences among these workers should be looked into by related agencies in the country.

Effect of Antenatal Dexamethasone Administration on Foetal and Uteroplacental Doppler Waveforms in Women at Risk of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: A Prospective Study

Introduction: The effects of antenatal dexamethasone onfoetal and uteroplacental circulation as measured by Dopplerwaveform has gained more attention recently. In the presentstudy, we aimed to assess the change in foetal anduteroplacental circulation following antenatal dexamethasoneadministration to high-risk pregnant women.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 50pregnant women with high risk of preterm birth within thegestational age from 24 to 34 weeks. Two doses ofdexamethasone was administrated and. Doppler velocitywaveforms were obtained from the umbilical artery, fetal middlecerebral artery (MCA), fetal descending aorta and maternaluterine arteries Data analysis was carried out using SPSSversion 22 for Microsoft Windows.Results: The mean age of the included women were 27.9 ±4.8years while the mean parity was 2.14 ±1.4. Eighty percent ofthe children were alive at delivery. In terms of Doppler Indices,the umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) and resistive indexshowed a statistically significant reduction afterDexamethasone administration (p <0.001). Similarly, theuterine and MCA arteries PI and RI showed a statisticallysignificant reduction after Dexamethasone administration (p<0.001). In terms of Cerebro-umbilical ratio (CUR), the ratioshowed a statistically significant increase after Dexamethasoneadministration (p =0.015). The CUR increased significantlyafter dexamethasone administration to reach 2.1 ±0.33. Onlyone patient had abnormal velicometry before and afterdexamethasone.Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study shows thatantenatal dexamethasone administration significantly improvethe fetal and uteroplacental hemodynamics, assessed byDoppler, among women with risk of preterm labor

Role of hypovitaminosis D in the incidence and complications of diabetes mellitus in rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus continues to be a public health concern. Vitamin D had sparked widespread interest in the pathogenesis and prevention of diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D [deficiency and treatment] with alteration in fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance in alloxan injected rat

Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out using 40 male albino rats [Sprague Dawley] weighing 150+/-10g. Animals were randomly divided into three groups; first group fed standard diet as a negative control group. Diabetic group injected subcutaneously by alloxan, and fed on standard diet. The third group fed standard diet without vitamin D for two weeks. After that glucose and insulin were determined in each rat of all groups to insure alteration in fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance, Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] was calculated. Then the third group was divided to two subgroups. The first subgroup fed basil diet with required vitamin D; while the second subgroup fed standard diet with double dose vitamin D. At the end experiment [4 weeks], glucose, insulin, lipid profile, liver and renal functions were determined in blood and serum, while [HOMA-IR] and LDL were calculated for normal, diabetic group and both treatment subgroups

Results: Vitamin D deficiency group had the nearest results to the diabetic group injected with alloxan group in: insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR. Other groups had lower level than the other two groups in the same parameter. Our data explained the improvement in glucose level after feeding with vitamin D. Diabetic group injected with alloxan had increased in liver enzymes, renal function and lipid profile compared with other groups and showed variable changes in histopathological examination

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency status is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes associated complications

Age, gender and refractive error association with intraocular pressure in healthy Saudi participants: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: To determine the distribution of intraocular pressure [IOP] and its association with age, gender and refractive error in non-glaucomatous Saudi participants

Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional observational study during Vision Day Screening Program. Participants: 458 participants living in the Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Methods: Recruited participants [aged 20 years or over] underwent a comprehensive questionnaire and ocular examination, including measurement of IOP with Perkins hand-held applanation tonometry and autorefraction

Main outcome measures: The distribution of IOP of either of the eyes [right or left eye by randomization] and associations with age, gender and refractive error

Results: Median IOP was 15.0 [range: 6-28] mmHg in the total population. There is no significant difference between the overall IOP of male participants, median 15 [range: 6-28] mmHg and female participants, median 16 [range: 6-28] mmHg [p = 0.180]. No statistically significant difference in IOP in relation to age comparing 20-45 years group to 46-69 years group was documented [p = 0.751]. There was no statistically significant relationship between refractive error category and IOP [p = 0.405]. Ocular hypertension with IOP > 21 mmHg was found in 8.7% of the participants

Conclusion: Variation in IOP by gender, age group and type of refractive error was not statistically significant. The observations need confirmation by study with larger sample representing Saudi population

Measuring empathy levels among Kurdish medical students in Erbil city, Iraq cross-sectional study

Objectives: Empathy is a crucial attribute within the physician-patient relationship. This study aimed to evaluate the empathy levels of students in the College of Medicine at Hawler Medical University [HMU] in Erbil city, Iraq

Methods: This cross-sectional study took place between January and May 2015 and included all medical undergraduates enrolled at HMU [n = 989]. The validated self-administered English language version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Student Version [JSPE-SV] was used to measure empathy levels. Students reported their conformity to each statement of the 20-item questionnaire on a 7-point Likert scale. Levels of empathy were considered directly relative to their final score

Results: A total of 927 students completed the questionnaire [response rate: 93.7%]. The male-to-female ratio was 0.72:1 and the mean age was 21.3 +/- 1.4 years. The mean empathy score was 101.9 +/- 19.2. Female students had significantly higher empathy [P = 0.023] and more frequently chose people-oriented specialties [P = 0.001] than males. First-year students reported the highest mean score [112.9 +/- 20.1] while fourth-year students had the lowest [92.7 +/- 16.0]. There was a significant decline in mean scores between first- and second-year male students [P = 0.020] and first- and fourth-year male students [P = 0.050]. Students who chose people-oriented specialties had significantly higher scores than those who chose technologyoriented specialties [P = 0.002]

Conclusion: The studied cohort of HMU students demonstrated low empathy levels. As such, the inclusion of empathy instruction in medical school curricula is recommended to promote professionalism and patient welfare

Percutaneous gastrostomy tube feeding: four year experience at King Hussein medical center

To evaluate the current indications, contraindications, and complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion at the Endoscopy Department at King Hussein Medical center. A retrospective analysis of the records of all patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion between 2009 and 2012 was reviewed. A total number of 149 cases [79 males, and 70 females] were performed over the study period. Age of patients ranged between 23 and 92 years with a median age 57.5 years. The most common indication in our series was neurological, mainly cerebrovascular accidents, accounting for around 60% of cases. The most common complication was infection at the site of insertion which accounted for about 70% of cases. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube feeding is a safe, minimally invasive and effective procedure for providing nutritional support for those who cannot tolerate oral feeding

Estimation of paracetamol present in a physical mixture containing ketorolac tromethamine solid dispersion with different polymers

Co-administration of combination of paracetamol with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs showed synergistic effects leading to validation of clinical use of this combination in the treatment of majority of pain conditions. Controlled release drug delivery systems based on ketorolac tromethamine solid dispersion with Eudragit RS100, Eudragit RL100, and ethyl cellulose as polymers in a ratio of [1:3] drug:polymer with paracetamol in a physical mixture form were prepared in order to make use of the synergistic effect of this combination. An accurate simple and precise method was developed for simultaneous determination of ketorolac and paracetamol in the proposed solid dispersion preparation; a derivative spectrophotometric method was utilized. The method is based on measuring the first derivative amplitudes [1]D at 338 and 249 for ketorolac and paracetamol in 0.1 N HCl using 0.1 N HCl as a blank with linearity ranges of 2-10 micro g.ml[-1] and mean percent recovery not less than 99% and S.D not more than 0.03. Similarly, the first derivative values of absorbance [1]D at 304nm and 233 nm were measured for ketorolac and paracetamol respectively in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 using phosphate buffer pH 7.4 as a blank with concentration ranges of 2-10 and 3-10 micro g.ml[-1] for ketorolac and paracetamol respectively. The in-vitro drug release studies were performed for both drugs at different pH values. About 25% of ketorolac tromethamine combined with over 90% paracetamol were released at pH 1.2 whereas over 85% of ketorolac and 99% paracetamol were released at pH 7.4 all over the experimental time period. The obtained results can explain the synergistic effect of the proposed combination as well as the decreased gastrotoxic effects of ketorolac

Clinico-pathological profile of acute promyelocytic leukaemia at Al-Amal oncology-haematology centre, Qatar

This cases series describes the profile of adult patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia [APL] at a referral hospital in Qatar of 34 acute myeloid leukaemia [AML] cases diagnosed, 11 [32%] were classified as APL. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was common at presentation [91%]. Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 73%, leukocytosis in 55% and severe anaemia in 45%. Only 2 patients were of the classic hypergranular type. In the remaining 9 patients, 3 morphological subtypes were recognized: microgranular variant [6 patients], hyperbasophilic [2 patients] and regular nuclear outline M3r [1 patient]. Translocation t[15;17] was detected in 63% of cases. APL constitutes a high proportion of AML cases in Qatar, with considerable morphological heterogeneity and a predominance of APL variants with unfavourable presenting features

Vincristine-induced neuropathy in rats is mediated via NMDA excitotoxicity and impairment of CGRP: possible neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin

Vincristine [VCR] is a potent anticancer drug and neurotoxicity is one of its most important dose-limiting toxicities. In this study, we investigated the effect of VCR by neurophysiological recordings and the tail flick test. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of action of VCR, expression of both N-methyl-D-aspartate [NMDA] receptor, an index of glutamate excitotoxity and calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP], an important regulator of vascular tone, were measured in both spinal cord and sciatic nerves. The role of erythropoietin [EPO] in the protection against VCR-incluced neurotoxicity was also examined. Methods: Rats were divided into control group, VCR treated group and two groups given EPO in two different doses concomitant with VCR administration. VCR significantly decreased the amplitude of maximum compound action potential [MCAP] and prolonged the duration of action potential [AP] and relative refractory period [RRP], decreased chronaxie and the latency of tail flick test, but it had no effect on conduction velocity. VCR increased NMDA receptor expression and it decreased CGRP expression. The smaller dose of EPO improved all VCR induced changes. except chronaxie, while its higher dose reversed all parameters and its effect was more prominent on tail flick test latency and NMDA receptor expression. VCR resulted in axonal degeneration. It caused increased neuronal excitability and induced a state of glutamate excitotoxicity. Finally, VCR caused a decrease in blood flow in the nervous [issue resulting in vascular neurotoxicity. EPO had an obvious neuroprotective effect probably through decreasing NMDA receptor expression and increasing CORP expression both centrally and peripherally

Effect of some antihypertensive drugs on serum creatinine and tubulointerstitial index in adenine induced nephropathy in rats

The progression of chronic kidney disease [CKD] is more than just a simple, creeping loss of kidney function finally resulting in end-stage renal disease [ESRD]. The present study was intended to study the potential renoprotective effect of ramipril [angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors -ACEI] and valsartan [angiotensin receptor-1 blocker- ATI blacker] on adenine-induced nephropathy in rats. Also, to study the possible effect of combination of above mentioned drugs. Seventy- six male albino rats were used through out the study in Clinical Pharmacology Department, Mansoara University. Twelve rats were taken as negative control without any manipulation. Sixty four male albino rats were given adenine diet [I50mg] in 0.5 ml saline by gavage feeding once daily for 10 days to confirm induction of adenine-induced nephrotoxicity. Sixteen rats died during induction. Rats that survived, started treatment and divided into two main groups: animals in each group were classified into 4 subgroups [each contain 6 rats], each of them took the test drugs once daily by stomach tube for 4 weeks Group I: started treatment after 2 weeks from administration of adenine and Group II: started treatment after 4 weeks from administration of adenine. The sera were taken for measurement of creatinine. The kidneys are rapidly dissected and put in formalin containing bottles and taken for pathological examination by H and E and special stains that included PAS and trichrome stains. Administration of each of -amipril, ualsartan and combination of both ramipril and valsartan showed that they produced highly significant reduction of the mean serum creatinine level [p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.001] respectively as compared with the positive control. There was non-significant decrease of tubulointerstitial index when comparing ramipril treated group, valsartan treated group, and ramipril plus vaisartafi treated group, versus positive control group. We concluded that adenine induced nephropathy is important model in elucidating tubulointerstitial injury and coincident with chronic renal insufficiency. Drugs under the study play some degree of renoprotectin

Menopausal symptoms and quality of life

This study was to assess the association between menopausal symptoms and the women's quality of life [QOL]. An exploratory descriptive study was conducted at Faculty of Nursing, university of Alexandria. Subjects of the study included all employees of the previously mentioned setting aged between 40 to 55 years old. Assessment sheet, Menopause Rating Scale and Quality of Life scale are the tools for data collection. Findings revealed that those who had no psychological symptoms reported better quality of life [X=94.50 +/- 1 1.475] than those who had severe psychological symptoms [X=62.64 +/- 12.549]. The same results were observed with the somatic symptoms and urogenital symptoms, as the mean score of quality of life of those who had no somatic [X88.00 +/- 11.314] or urogenital symptoms [X=83.14 +/- 12.104] was higher than who had severe somatic [X=7531 +/- 11.026] or sever urogenital symptoms [X=68.50 +/- 12.021]. In relation to the total score of menopause rating scale and the total score of quality of life, it was found that better quality of life was reported among those who had no symptoms [X=88.00 +/- 1 1.314] or mild symptoms [X=88.04 +/- 11.314]. The results also revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the total score of quality of life and the number of living children [P<0.028], medical history of the woman [P<0.041], housing condition [P<0.001], and income [P<0.001]. It can be concluded that severity of menopausal symptoms has a negative association with overall quality of life. Increased number of children, presence of health problems, not suitable housing condition, and not enough income were negatively associated with QOL. Most of the quality of life domains are adversely affected by the presence of menopausal changes. Further researches are required to assess the intervention for pen-and postmenopausal women in context of their needs and expectation

Pravastatin induced myopathy

Lipid-lowering agents such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors [also known as statin drugs] are generally well tolerated. But a recognized side effect still can happen, We report a case of 47-year-old Iraqi male patient previously known hypothyroid, was not on replacement therapy, as he did not appear after his thyroid functions was checked came in with severe body pain for 10 months got worse in the last three months, started on lipostat [ten months ago] found to have myopathy as evident by high CPK which improved gradually clinically and biochemical after stopping lipostat

Naproxen induced angioedma

Although usually a benign condition, angioedema can be life-threatening if it involves the larynx. Laryngeal edema, regardless of the etiology, can progress to airway compromise and asphyxiation. We report a 36-year-old male who came in with arthralgia and developed urticaria and angioedema after being started on Naproxen