Depleted uranium. is it potentially involved in the recent upsurge of malignancies in populations exposed to war dust?

Due to its extreme density, depleted Uranium [DU] has recently entered the warfare industry and became a major pollutant to the biosphere. Although DU is less radioactive than natural Uranium, it still retains all its chemical toxicity. Limited data exists regarding the longterm hazards of DU on humans, however, it is suspected to be a major toxic and mutagenic agent. Literature review reveals the scarcity of the World Health Organization's knowledge regarding related DU-malignancies. Battlefield reports documented a steady rise of malignancies and newborn malformations after war, that is, leukemia in the Balkans, and congenital anomalies and Kaposi sarcoma [KS] in Iraq. Kaposi sarcoma in Iraq has a quite aggressive behavior compared with the classic KS before, suggesting a potential relation with DU, and possibly a different DU related KS-type. Children are more susceptible to radiation than adults. This enlarges the responsibility of the medical communities for an evidence-based attitude towards DU, and to ban its use until proven otherwise. We, as medical bodies have a human approach - stand with man not to be mistreated, and with green norms, which veto all suspected pollutants of the planet. Until further notice, DU should be thoroughly checked for safety, before it kills.

Pattern of skin diseases in a hospital in southwestern Saudi Arabia

To ascertain the type of skin diseases in Najran General Hospital as a rough pattern of skin diseases in Najran region and to compare this with other similar regional studies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. A retrospective 12 months study of the common skin dermatoses, which were recorded in Najran General Hospital, Najran, KSA, within the period December 2000 to December 2001. We recorded 1192 new patients within the study period, 37% had one of the dermatitis or eczema group of diseases, 12.75% had acne, 7% had vitiligo, 5.9% had viral infections 5.6% had superficial mycoses, 5% had bacterial infections, 1.51% had psoriasis and only 1.1% had lichen planus. By comparison, the incidence of dermatitis or eczema, acne and vitiligo was slightly higher in Najran compared to other regions such as Asir, Hail, Al-Jouf and Jeddah, KSA owing, probably, to the genetic predilection of Najran community to these disorders. Najran was lower than others in psoriasis and in lichen planus, but in minimal deviations. However, Najran was comparable to others in infective diseases including viral warts, superficial mycoses and bacterial infections. This comparison indicates that there were no large differences between Najran and other compared regions of KSA and this region is present in the heart of health development

Colocynth toxicity A Possible cause of bloody diarrhea

Five cases of toxicity due to consumption of an uncommon wild fruit called Colocynth are described. These cases were seen over a period of 2 years. Severe bouts of bloody diarrhea were encountered in these patients. The plant, its ingredients, the medicinal and other uses, features of toxicity and the management is discussed. Doctors are advised to be aware of this uncommon clinical problem