Validity of Nolla’s Method for Age Estimation for Children in Kurdish Iraqi Population - A Retrospective Study

Context: Radiographs have an essential role in Chronological Age (CA) estimation and are being used for dental age (DA) determination. Aims: Detecting the validity of Nolla’s method (NM) for the age assessment of Kurdish Iraqi children (KIC). Methods and Material: A retrospective study was performed using orthopantomographs (OPGs) of 354 subjects aged from 4 to 13 years (178 boys and 176 girls) and their recording files. Subjects were divided into nine study groups: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 years old. The chronological age (CA) was subtracted from the DA to find the validity of NM; the positive results indicated the overestimation of age, whereas the negative results indicated for underestimation. The data were recorded through a digitalised system using Microsoft Excel worksheet and analysed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 25) programme using the dependent T?test and graphical analysis. The level of P value used in this study was set at < 0.05. Results: The DA is underestimated in ages 9 to 13 in boys and girls. The highest difference in DA–CA was at the age of 9 years (?0.146 ± 0.162). Conclusions: NM for age estimation was slightly overestimated in age groups of 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 years in boys and girls without statistically significant differences. However, this method underestimated the ages of KIC ranging from 9 to 13 years significantly.

Gulf implantable cardioverter-defibrillator registry: rationale, methodology, and implementation

Background: The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD] is effective in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients. Little is known about ICD use in the Arabian Gulf. We designed a study to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving ICDs in the Arab Gulf region

Methods: Gulf ICD is a prospective, multi-center, multinational, and observational study. All adult patients 18 years or older, receiving a de novo ICD implant and willing to sign a consent form will be eligible. Data on baseline characteristics, ICD indication, procedure and programing, in-hospital, and 1-year outcomes will be collected. Target enrollment is 1500 patients, which will provide adequate precision across a wide range of expected event rates

Results: Fifteen centers in six countries are enrolling patients [Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar]. Two-thirds of the centers have dedicated electrophysiology laboratories, and in almost all centers ICDs are implanted exclusively by electrophysiologists. Nearly three-quarters of the centers reported annual ICD implant volumes of

Conclusions: Gulf ICD is the first prospective, observational, multi-center, and multinational study of the characteristics and, the outcomes of patients receiving ICDs in the Arab Gulf region. The study will provide valuable insights into the utilization of and outcomes related to ICD therapy in the Gulf region

Epilepsy among Elderly Sudanese Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and characteristics of elderly Sudanese patients with epilepsy. Methodology: This is a prospective study (from Feb. 2005 to Jun 2008). The study population included 240 elderly epileptic patients (age 60 years or above). Results: Cerebrovascular accident was found to be the most common cause of secondary epilepsy (31).Generalize epilepsy was seen in 120 (50) of patients. Abnormal neurological findings were more common (49) among patients with partial epilepsy. Fifty percent of our patients showed abnormal EEG. Abnormal CT brain findings were common among patients with partial epilepsy. Conclusion: The pattern of clinical presentation of epilepsy among elderly Sudanese epileptic patients is similar to what was mentioned in the literature except that the percentage of epilepsy following infections was more among our studied group (6

Study of Knowledge; Attitude; Practice towards Epilepsy among Relative of Epileptic Patients in Khartoum State

People with epilepsy are suffering from a lot of un tolded negative impacts on their lives; due to misunderstanding of the disease and from the associated stigma. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge; attitude; and practice among relatives of Sudanese epileptic patients seen in Sheik Mohamed Kheir Neurological clinic and Elshaab Teaching Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive cross- sectional community based study; 313 respondents were included; the duration of the study was from November 2008 to June 2009. Results: Most of the respondents knew the disease; and had witnessed an attack. One third mentioned a brain lesion as the underlying cause of epilepsy. Most of the respondents mentioned loss of consciousness as the major symptom. More than two thirds mentioned that it is not contagious. Most of the respondents claimed that it can be controlled; and two thirds preferred medical treatment. The study revealed that half of the respondents had shown favourable attitudes and practice. Conclusion: The study revealed that the level of knowledge; attitude; and practice towards epilepsy needs community educational programmes to fill the gaps; and minimize the stigma

The Sensitivity and Specificity of the Conventional Symptoms and Signs in Making a Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

Introduction: Simple appendicitis can progress to perforation; which is associated with a much higher morbidity and mortality. So; surgeons have therefore been inclined to operate when the diagnosis is probable rather than wait until it is certain. Objective: This study is designed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.Methods: The study included 866 patients of acute appendicitis who had undergone appendicectomy with preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. They were analyzed retrospectively. The parameters evaluated were age/gender; clinical presentation (signs and symptoms) and total white blood cell counts. The operative findings were recorded and the inflammation of the appendix was graded into normal; acutely inflamed and gangrenous. Results: Clinical diagnosis was made correctly in 807 (93.2) of the patients. White blood cells count ranged from 3.70 to 45.30 /mm3 (mean 17.5353 /mm3). It was 10;000/mm3 in 133 (15.4) patients.Conclusions: Clinical assessment is the best criterion to reach a confident diagnosis. Investigations may supplement the diagnosis but are never a substitute for it

The Patterns of Clinical Presentations of Cerebellar Syndromes among Adult Sudanese Patients

Cerebellar syndromes are one of the commonest neurological diseases.Objectives:To study the patterns of clinical presentations of cerebellar syndromes and to identify the possible causes.Methods:This is a prospective hospital based; cross-sectional study. One hundred adult Sudanese patients with cerebellar syndromes were included in the study during the period from January 2006 January 2007.Results:The most common age group affected was 18 - 25 years.Male to female ratio was 1.5:1unsteadiness on walking was the most common symptom (83).Gait-ataxia was the most common sign (83). Cerebrovascular disease was the most common etiology (25).Conclusion:Cerebellar syndromes are not rare in Sudan.However; they were diagnosed more commonly at the central regions of the country probably because of more awareness of patients and better facilities for diagnosis.The age of onset; the male predominance; the presentation and clinical findings were not different from reported literature.This also goes for the common causes apart from alcohol which is a strikingly rare as a cause in this study and could be accounted for the implementation of Elshariya (Islamic laws) Laws in Sudan

The Prevalence of Neurological Complications among Adult Sudanese Diabetic Patients

"The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of neurological complications among adult Sudanese diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinics of El Shaab Teaching Hospital in Khartoum. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional hospital based study; it was conducted at El Shaab Teaching Hospital; Khartoum; Sudan during the period from ebruary !!"" to #ctober !!$.esultset '!! diabe(c pa(ents were included in the study; $ were male and )* females. +ore than *;- were above the age of ); years and ;$- were in the age group );- $"". The pa(ents were from di/erent tribes and di/erent states. Sixty percent of the patients were from the northern Sudanese states while the rest of patients were from eastern and western states. Seventy seven percent of the patients had type diabetes mellitus and 7*.""- of them had diabetes for more than one year. Hypertension was found in *- of our pa(ents. The study revealed that $!- of the diabe(c pa(ents have neurological manifesta(ons. The main neurological complication found was peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy. Conclusion: There is significant positive correlation between age; duration of diabetes; glycaemic control and occurrence of the neurological complications."

Anormalidades cromossômicas em neoplasias hematológicas e exposiçäo ocupacional a agrocitoquímicos / Chromosoic abnormalities in haematological neoplasias and occupational exposure to agrotoxic chemicals

A vagotomia subdiafragmática seletiva interfere com a homeostasia glicêmica no modelo experimental animal estudado. Verificou-se que a interrupçäo do ramo vagal anterior (hepático) ou posterior (pancreático) determina elevaçäo da glicemia tanto em ratos avaliados agudamente (15 dias de pós-operatório) quanto cronicamente (60 dias de pós-operatório). Adicionalmente, observou-se que a vagotomia posterior exerce um efeito anterior na fase aguda, evidência que desaparece no grupo crônico. Entretanto, ocorre uma tendência de reduçäo da glicemia nos ratos avaliados cronicamente (60 dias de pós-operatório) em relaçäo aos animais do experimento agudo (15 dias de pós-operatório)