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Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an evolving important risk factor for head and neck cancer (HNC) especially for individuals who do not smoke and drink alcohol. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of HPV infection and elucidate its association with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients in UK population. Methods: The presence and association of HPV was investigated in HNSCC patients in this retrospective clinical study. Samples were obtained from archived biopsies and resections. HPV screening was performed by the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the GP5+/GP6+ and the SPF1/2 consensus as primers and by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Samples of viral warts that were IHC positive for HPV and fibroepethelial polyps (FEP) were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Results: The cohort included 124 patients with HNSCC with an age range of 27–97 years (median 60 years) and a male to female ratio of 2:1. Among the 124 HNSCC 43/124 (34.7%) were from the tongue 74/124 (60%) presented with advanced stage III or IV disease 112/124 (90%) had a conventional phenotype 84/124 (68%) were moderately differentiated and 89/124 (72%) had bands or cords at the invasive front. Of the 124 patients with HNSCC 84/124 (68%) demonstrated the presence of HPV 0/124 (0%) was for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). HPV16 was the associated virus type in all positive samples. However no significant association was observed between HPV positivity and other clinico-pathological variables including age and gender of the patients stage and malignancy differentiation. Conclusion: The results we provide suggest that HPV infection is low in HNSCC in general and absent in OSCC specifically in this UK population during this time period. This implies that HPV infection may not play an important role in HNSCC carcinogenesis compared to other risk factors in UK population. This information can aid in more effective treatment approaches for treating UK cases of HNSCC.
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Breast cancer (BC) is a significant threat to female health, with both modifiable andnon-modifiable risk factors. It is essential to monitor patients regularly and to raise population awareness. Increasing research also suggests that E-selectin (SELE) may increase tumor angiogenesis and the development of cancer. This study investigated SELE single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the following positions: rs5367T/C, rs5368C/T, rs5362T/G,and rs5362T/C. Using polymerase chain reaction, significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies were found between BC patients and controls. Position rs5368 was associated with an increased risk of BC for the CT and TT genotypes, with odds ratios (ORs) of16.3 and 6.90 (Fisher probability = 0.0001, p = 0.005). Women with the T allele had a 19.3-fold higher incidence of BC, while allele C may be a protective allele against BC (OR, 0.05).Heterozygous genotypes at rs5367, rs5362, and rs5362 were significantly more common inBC patients, with ORs of 5.70, 4.50, and 3.80, respectively. These SNPs may be associatedwith the risk of BC, because the frequency of mutant alleles was significantly higher in patients (OR: 4.26, 3.83, and 4.30, respectively) than in controls (OR: 0.23, 0.30, and 0.20, respectively). These SNPs may be considered a common genotype in the Iraqi population,with the wild-type allele having a protective fraction and the mutant allele having an environmental fraction. The results also revealed a 2-fold increase in gene expression in BCpatients compared to controls, with a significant effect (p = 0.017). This study's findingsconfirm the importance of SELE polymorphisms in cancer risk prediction.
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According to long-term projections, by 2030, the world’s population is predicted to reach 7.5 billion individuals, and there will be roughly 27 million new cancer cases diagnosed. The global burden of breast cancer (BC) is expected to rise. According to the Ministry of Health-Iraqi Cancer Registry, cancer is the second largest cause of death after cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the interleukin-18 (IL18) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) –607C/A rs1946518 and –137G/C rs187238 using the sequence-specific amplification-polymerase chain reaction approach. Regarding the position –607C/A, there was a highly significant difference between the observed and expected frequencies in patients and controls (χ 2 = 3.16 and χ 2 = 16.5), respectively. The AA and CA genotypes were associated with significantly increased BC risk (odds ratio [OR], 3.68; p = 0.004 and OR, 2.83; p = 0.04, respectively). Women with the A allele had a 5.03-fold increased susceptibility to BC. The C allele may be a protective allele against BC (OR, 0.19). Although position –137G/C showed no significant differences in the CC genotype distribution (p = 0.18), the frequency of the CC genotype was significantly higher in patients than in controls. In contrast, patients had a significantly higher frequency of GC genotypes than controls (p = 0.04), which was associated with an increased risk of developing BC (OR, 2.63). The G allele frequency was significantly lower in patients than in controls (55.0% vs. 76.2%, respectively). This SNP may be considered a common genotype in the Iraqi population, with the wild-type G allele having a protective function (OR, 0.19) and the mutant C allele having an environmental effect (OR, 2.63).
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Background: The results of epidemiological studies help in developing protective and treatment plans for community members, and identifying the psychological support services that individuals need to reduce the negative effects of these stressful conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the effect of the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 on the mental health of individuals. A survey descriptive design was used in this study to detect the level of psychological problems and to determine the differences in psychological problems due to nationality, age, sex, social status, learning level, and income. Method: A random sample consists of 5611(3423 Egyptians and 2188 Saudis) participants was chosen, their ages ranged between (16 to more than 50) year. The study sample was divided into sub-groups according to nationality, age, sex, social status, learning level, income level. The researchers in this study prepared psychological problems symptoms inventory that has been applied online to the sample. Results: The findings indicated that the increased prevalence of COVID -19 has a negative effect on the mental health of individuals, as the level of psychological problems were increased, and the results also found differences in the prevalence of psychological problems symptoms due to demographic variables. Conclusion: The study results emphasized the importance of prevention and treatment of psychological problems symptoms caused by the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19. As well as, these findings stressed on the role of counseling and therapy via the internet as well as, cross-cultural counseling and treatment.
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Objective: To study the effect of formative Objective structured clinical examination(OSCE) on the undergraduate medical students’ performance in a subsequent summative-OSCE assessment. Methods: In a randomized single-blind trial, 130 fifth year medicalstudents at Raparin hospital, Erbil were assigned to intervention (n=61) and control group(n=69). Formative-OSCE was performed for the intervention group in pediatric module withfeedback on their performance versus standard pediatric module for the control group.Students’ clinical performance was assessed by a summative-OSCE. Multiple regressionwas used to predict the summative-OSCE score depending on the participation in formative-OSCE along with the other factors. Results: Eleven students were excluded because ofearly drop-out, leaving 119 students for analysis. The summative-OSCE mean score (out ofa total score of 100) in intervention group 64.6 (10.91) was significantly lower as comparedto the control group 69.2 (10.45). Conclusion: Single formative-OSCE does not necessarilylead to better performance in subsequent summative-OSCE.
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The infection with Candida spp. for oral cavity is being increasingly reported. However, its variations have not yet been specifically described in periodontitis. The present study was conducted to use an uniplex 26S rRNA-based amplicons to detect and discriminate Candida using only one pair of ribosomal primers. A total of 50 patients with chronic periodontitis was involved in the study. Pure Candida colonies were isolated from 23 patients and genomic DNA was extracted, and PCR was conducted. Direct DNA sequencing followed by comprehensive phylogenetic analyses were performed to confirm the identity of Candida colonies. Results indicated that the ration of Candida-infected patients was 46%, with a high prevalence of C. albicans, followed by remarkably lower ratios of C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. kefyr, and C. dubliniensis respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated obvious discrimination amongst the analyzed Candida species as each observed species occupied a distinctive phylogenetic position. The current results reported a simple, efficient, and low-cost detection of five species of Candida without the need for other costly techniques of molecular screening. The current findings may help dentists to easily take a snapshot of the patterns of Candida infection in periodontitis cases to assess the nature and grade of infection.
Subject(s)
Humans , Candida , Chronic Periodontitis , Dentists , Discrimination, Psychological , DNA , Genes, rRNA , Mass Screening , Mouth , Periodontitis , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prevalence , RNA, Ribosomal , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
AIM: To compare the level of serum Vitamin D in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) with that in control subjects. METHODS: Serum levels of 25 - hydroxy Vitamin D ( Vitamin D ) were measured using liquid chromatography. Variables like age, sex and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were reported. RESULTS:This study included a total of 55 patients with XFS/XFG and 60 control subjects. Patients with XFS/XFG were significantly older than control subjects (mean age:71.8y vs 67. 5y, P = 0. 002). Gender distribution was similar. The prevalence rates of diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean of Vitamin D was 14.7 ng/mL for patients with XFS/XFG and 14. 9 ng/mL for control subjects with no significant difference. Although Vitamin D level was lower in the XFS/XFG group but multivariate analysis did not show significant difference in Vitamin D deficiency between the two groups after adjusting for age,gender,and medical conditions. CONCLUSION:The outcomes of our study are different from those in the literature. Vitamin D levels were low in both the XFS/XFG group and the control group being lower in the first one but that difference was not statistically significant. XFS and Vitamin D deficiency share common associations with certain systemic diseases. Further studies with larger numbers are needed to elaborate more on these associations and to support further the controversial literature.
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To assess the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome [PEX], and associated ophthalmic complications among Saudi patients. The prevalence of PEX and associated ocular co-morbidities were determined among the Saudi patients visiting the Primary Care Clinic of Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between January 2009 and January 2010. A total of 1967 patients were examined biomicoscopically by ophthalmologists to determine the presence of PEX and associated ocular complications. Sixty-nine of the 1967 examined patients [3.5%] showed the presence of PEX with no significant gender difference. There was an age dependent increase in the prevalence of PEX after the age of 50 years. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome was associated with higher intraocular pressure, cataract, and poor vision. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of PEX in male and female Saudi patients. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is an age-related disorder, and its prevalence increases with age. Further larger population based studies are warranted to assess the prevalence of PEX and associated risk factors
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Prevalence , Exfoliation Syndrome/complicationsABSTRACT
Pulmonary hypertension [PH] is relatively uncommon in children. Pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH] in pediatric comprises a wide spectrum of diseases, from a transient neonatal condition to a progressive disease associated with morbidity and mortality. Most common PAH in pediatric are idiopathic [IPAH] or PAH associated with congenital heart disease [PAH-CHD], while other associated conditions, such as connective tissue disease [CTD], are less common in pediatrics. Despite better understanding of PH and the availability of new medications during recent decades; the diagnosis, investigation and choice of therapy remain a challenge in children, as evidence-based recommendations depend mainly on adult studies. In this review, we provide a detailed discussion about the distinctive features of PAH in pediatric, mainly emphacysing on classification and diagnostic algorithm
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The role of religious leaders in improving vaccination coverage has not been well researched. This intervention study investigated the role of a health education campaign and peer spiritual leaders in improving vaccination coverage rates in Akre district in Kurdistan region, Iraq. An information campaign was conducted in 30 villages with low vaccination coverage. The participation of peer spiritual leaders was sought in 15 villages of the Sorchi tribe known to have persistent low coverage rates.The vaccination coverage rates of DPTT, DPT2, DPT3 and measles vaccines during the post-intervention period [January to June 2007] were significantly improved [95.5%, 90.0%, 84.4% and 80.3% respectively] compared with the pre-intervention period [January to June 2006] [55.9%, 42.7%, 21.5% and 27.6% respectively]. The dropout rates of those vaccines were also significantly decreased. Vaccination in villages where spiritual leaders were involved improved significantly more than other villages
Subject(s)
Humans , Health Education , Leadership , Spirituality , Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine , Measles Vaccine , InfantABSTRACT
One of the proposed advantages of drain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the removal of residual gas after operation, thus contributing in reducing postoperative morbidity. To assess the value of drains in decreasing the residual gas in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and its effect on postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting and morbidity. From July 2008 to July 2009,150 patients were randomized to 3 groups of 50 patients; [A] subphrenic placed drain, [B] subhepatic placed drain, and [C] no drain. End points of this trial were to detect any differences in postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting and morbidity between the groups measured at different time intervals. Subphrenic drain significantly reduced the incidence and amount of subdiaphragmatic gas bubble [23/50 patients and 5.69 +/- 11.12 cm in group A vs. 48/50 patients and 17.34 +/- 12.21 cm in group C]. Although there were differences in the incidence of nausea and intensity of postoperative pain at different time intervals between drain groups and control group, but the difference was not significant. There was no mortality and no significant difference in the incidence of morbidity. Routine drainage after LC is unnecessary. It would be reasonable, however, to leave a drain if there is a worry about an unsolved or potential bile leak
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Humans , Female , Male , Drainage , Prospective Studies , Randomized Controlled Trials as TopicABSTRACT
This an updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma, developed by the Saudi Initiative for Asthma [SINA] group, a subsidiary of the Saudi Thoracic Society. The main objective of SINA is to have updated guidelines, which are simple to understand and easy to use by non-asthma specialists, including primary care and general practice physicians. This new version includes updates of acute and chronic asthma management, with more emphasis on the use of Asthma Control Test in the management of asthma, and a new section on "difficult-to-treat asthma." Further, the section on asthma in children was re-written to cover different aspects in this age group. The SINA panel is a group of Saudi experts with well-respected academic backgrounds and experience in the field of asthma. The guidelines are formatted based on the available evidence, local literature, and the current situation in Saudi Arabia. There was an emphasis on patient-doctor partnership in the management that also includes a self-management plan. The approach adopted by the SINA group is mainly based on disease control as it is the ultimate goal of treatment
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The aim of present study was to investigate the antifungal activity of Hypericum perforatum extract in vitro. Three extraction techniques were used [chloroform, acetone and methanol solvents] and the extracts were tested against Fusarium chlamydosporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatm, Aspergillus flavus. Acetone extract of H. perforatum was the most active against the growth of F. chlamydosporum, A. niger, it caused 55% and 40% inhibition of fungus growth, respectively, when used in a concentration of 7.5 mg/ml from growth media. The fungus A. flavus was more sensitive to the chloroform extract of H. perforatum and the inhibition percentage was 53.84% at the extract concentration of 7.5 mg/ml from growth media. The concentration 7.5 mg/ml of culture media for all extracts was more effective than the concentration 2.5 mg/ml from growth media. It was concluded that the acetone extract of H. perforatum showed a broad spectrum and greatest activity against the fungi among extracts tested
Subject(s)
In Vitro Techniques , Antifungal Agents , Plants, Medicinal , Plant Extracts , Aspergillus flavus/drug effects , Fusarium/drug effects , Aspergillus niger/drug effects , Aspergillus fumigatus/drug effectsABSTRACT
CO2 insuflation constitutes the commonest means of creating the pneumoperitoneum [PP], but it is attributed to many post-laparoscopic cholecystecomy adverse effects including pain triggering. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of low-pressure CO2 PP during laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] in reducing the incidence of postoperative pain. A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 100 patients with symptomatic gall stones. Patients were randomized preoperatively into group A [n=50] who underwent LC with 8 mmHg CO2 PP throughout the procedure and those in group B [n=50] had LC with 12 mmHg CO2 PP. Abdominal and shoulder-tip pain were assessed with verbal rating scale [VRS] scoring at 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. The low-pressure PP did not increase the duration of surgery. There were neither significant peri-operative complications nor conversion to open procedure in either group. A statistical comparison of mean cumulative VRS scores for abdominal and shoulder-tip pain in both groups shows statistical significance at 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after operation. A CO2 PP at 8 mmHg reduces both the frequency and intensity of abdominal and shoulder-tip pain following LC without increasing the rate of intraoperative complications
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic , Pain Measurement , Double-Blind MethodABSTRACT
The main objectives of this paper were to estimate the consumption patterns of tobacco use among King Saud University [KSU] undergraduate students; and investigate different risk factors which may contribute to tobacco use among female students. A representative sample [n=7550] of the total KSU undergraduate student population of 69, 498 [males and females] was selected, stratified according to college and gender. A modified version of the WHO/CGC Global Youth Tobacco Survey [GYTS] questionnaire was used for data collection. Overall smoking prevalence among KSU students was estimated at 14.5%, prevalence among male students [32.7%], and females [5.9%]. Independent risk factors for smoking among males were found to be: age, father's smoking habits, and "friends' smoking habits"; while among females were: sister's smoking habits and "friends' smoking habits." The findings of this study re-emphasize the significance of peer pressure on smoking among university students of both sexes; influence of family members, usually of same sex. We need to foster gender-sensitive tobacco prevention intervention programs to prevent youngsters of both sexes from taking up such habit. We also need to raise awareness of girls and young women, of the consequences of smoking in general, water-pipe in specific, on their own health, that of their spouses, families, and off-springs, many of whom could develop chronic respiratory disorders, as passive smokers in the beginning/potential smokers themselves, later on. All such efforts should be backed and supported by strong governmental commitment, to ensure success of their implementation accordingly
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Humans , Male , Female , Students , Universities , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Prevalence , Cross-Sectional Studies , Gender IdentityABSTRACT
Certain virulence determinants of uropathogens have been demonstrated to provide a selective advantage for the ability to colonize and cause infection. Attachment depends on the interaction between such bacterial pili and receptor structures present on target cells. Erythrocytes and some epithelial cells such as uroepithelial cells [UECs] seem to have similar receptor for such adhesions. This study was conducted to determine the ability of Gram-negative bacilli isolated from bladder tumor tissues for exhibiting certain virulence factors like; attachment to uroepithelial cells and observe their ability to agglutinate human RBCs. Adhesion and haemagglutination activity were studied on 49 isolates of Gram-negative bacilli [Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca and Proteus mirabilis] isolated from biopsy specimens of patients with bladder cancer. This activity assayed in vitro according to the procedure mentioned in the text [12,15,16]. It has been observed that heavy attachment among these isolated bacteria and UECs and most of the isolates have the ability to agglutinate human type O erythrocytes. 1- Gram-negative bacteria isolated from bladder tumor tissues demonstrated some bacterial characteristics like adhesion and haemagglutination activity which might enhance persistence of bacterial infection and increasing the inflammatory response to the infection. 2 -Pili may be considered as an important virulence factor of Gram-negative bacilli isolated from bladder tumor tissues which enhance the persistence of bacterial infections
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There has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children in several developing countries, having resulted in an increase of potentially severe medical and psychological complications, in addition of being a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Despite that, few studies have been conducted in Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in specific. The aim of this study is to compute the prevalence of obesity and overweight in children in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and to assess factors leading to these conditions. A cross-sectional community based study design was adopted for this study which was performed during a 4 month period in 2006. Body mass index [BMI] cut-off points defining obesity and overweight were applied. A total of 820 children in the age group of 2-8 years were included from thirty administrative sectors of Duhok city chosen randomly by multistage cluster sampling. Information about risk factors was obtained by direct interview of parents. The present study shows that the prevalence of overweight [BMI >/= 85[th] percentile for age] and obesity [BMI >/= 95[th] percentile for age] were 8.3% and 7.9%, respectively. Significant association was found between obesity/overweight status and the following factors: number of main meals and snacks per day, frequency of consumption of fried foods, fatty dairy products, soft drinks, sweets and meat, low level of physical activity and parental overweight status. No significant associations were found, however, with parental level of education, socio-economic status, and main type of feeding during infancy. Authors recommend that more attention should be paid by health authorities to this important health problem including the endorsement of a well designed preventive program
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Risk Factors , Overweight/epidemiology , Prevalence , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Find out whether daily physical activities of Islamic praying predispose to or protect from osteoarthritis [OA] of weight bearing joints. Comparison of prevalence of primary OA of knees and/or hips between age and weight matching prayers and non-prayers men. Civil official and employees from different establishments in Erbil City [191 Subjects] and [21 subjects] from out-patient clinics of Rizgary and Erbil Teaching Hospital-Erbil, over a period of eight months starting on Jan 2004. This constituted one hundred and eleven prayers and 101 subjects not practicing Islamic praying. Subjects fulfilling our inclusion criteria underwent clinical evaluation and radiology of their knee and hip joints. We assessed, by Chi-squared test, differences in frequency of OA between prayers and non-prayers, and between the > 20 year prayers who lay hand first on prostrating from erect posture and the same duration prayers who lay their knees first. No single OA of hip was encountered. OA of knees was significantly less [p<0.01] prevalent among prayers than those who did not practice Islamic praying. Differentially, laying knees first on prostrating from erect posture was associated with significantly [p<0.05] higher frequency of OA of knees as compared with those who lay their hands first on the praying rug [ground]. Islamic praying in 46-60 year-old men, of normal or marginal overweight [BMI 20-27 kg/m2], protects from primary OA of the knees. Laying palms first on prostrating from standing position appears to preclude a likely harmful effect on the knee joints presumably form repeated "hitting" of ground under the praying rug if laid first on prostration