Demographic pattern and clinical features of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome presenting to orthopedic outpatient clinics in a military hospital in Kuwait

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is the most common entrapment neuropathy. Our aim was to provide data about the demographic pattern and clinical features of this syndrome among patients in Kuwait, and compare it to data from other countries. Retrospective review of patients' medical records. Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed Forces hospital, Kuwait. A retrospective review of the medical records of 175 Kuwaiti patients diagnosed with CTS at Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed Forces hospital in Kuwait between January 2006 and December 2010 was done. The diagnosis was based on history, physical examination and electrodiagnostic studies. Results are presented using frequencies and percentages. Demographic and clinical features of patients with CTS. Out of the 175 cases, 132 [75.4%] were females, with a male to female ratio of 1:3.1. The mean age was 43.68 years [range 25-70 years], peaking between 46 to 50 years [40; 22.9%]. All the patients complained of nocturnal symptoms, while 173 [98.35] had daytime symptoms. Physical examination revealed abnormal sensation, positive Phalen's test, positive Tinel sign, thenar muscle wasting and decreased power of thenar muscles in 150 [85.7%], 161 [92.0%], 129 [73.7%], 17 [9.7%] and 91 [52.0%] patients respectively. involvement was bilateral in 141 [80.6%] patients. The most common cause / risk factor of CTS in this sample was obesity [66; 37.7%]. The demographic pattern and clinical features of this sample of CTS patients in Kuwait are similar to what was found elsewhere

Scavenging action of zinc and green tea polyphenol on cisplatin and nickel induced nitric oxide generation and lipid peroxidation in rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Toxic metal ions have been implicated in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Metallothionines (MT) and plant flavonoids have been reported in the intervention against oxidative damage. We investigated the effect of zinc induced MT and green tea polyphenol (GTP) in reducing the oxidative responses induced by nickel and platinum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Zinc (10 mg/kg b. wt, sc) was administered to rats twice at a gap of 24 hrs and GTP (10 mg/100 mL in drinking water) was fed ad libitum for 8 days. Nickel chloride (150 umol/kgb.wt, ip) and cisplatin (50 mumol/kg b.wt, sc) was administered to rats 24 h after Zn or GTP pre-treatment. Animals of all the groups were sacrificed 16 hrs after treatment and biochemical markers for toxicity were monitored.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Zinc or GTP pre-treatment caused significant protection against nickel or cisplatin enhanced mortality in rats, and reduction in lipid peroxidation and NO.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is proposed that inhibition of ROS and NO by GTP and zinc may prove useful as a selective pharmacological agent in the amelioration of metal toxicity.</p>

Exacerbation of soft tissue lesions in lead exposed virus infected mice / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Lead (Pb) acetate exposure on Semliki forest virus (SFV) pathogenesis in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Different doses (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/Kg body weight) of Pb dissolved in normal saline were given to mice by oral intubation in a sub-acute (28 days) and sub-chronic (90 days) regimen followed by SFV infection. Morbidity, mortality, clinical symptoms, mean survival time (MST), changes in body and organ weight, accumulation of lead in soft tissues, virus titre in brain and histopathological alterations were compared between lead exposed and infected groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Early appearance of virus symptoms, increased mortality, decreased MST, enhanced SFV titre and greater tissue damage were observed in lead exposed-SFV-infected mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pre-exposure to lead increases the susceptibility of mice towards SFV infection. Further studies are suggested in view of the persistence of lead in the environment and the possibility of infection by microbial pathogens.</p>

Chronic viral hepatitis: factors influencing response to alpha interferon

Viral hepatitis is a cause of considerable morbidity and mortality, both from acute infection and its chronic sequelae. Hepatitis B virus [HBV], hepatitis D virus [HDV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] are the most important in terms of causing major morbidity and mortality throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization [WHO] estimates, 2.000 million people have been infected by HBV worldwide. About 5% of all HBsAg carriers are estimated to be infected with HDV. Although not as prevalent as HBV infection in terms of worldwide figures, HCV more often results in chronic hepatitis [40 - 60% of post transfusion hepatitis patients], progressing to cirrhosis in 20% of cases and sometimes to hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, a new flavivirus hepatitis G virus [HGV] has been identified as an uncommon cause of post transfusion hepatitis, which has infected 1.5% of blood donors

Drug dependence in Mekran Panjgur revisited

Through epidemiological method, prevalence of drug dependence in the four villages of Panjgur is estimated to be 3.37% of the population. Cannabis was found to be abused by 1.13% opium 0.5% and heroin 0.64%. The difference between the estimates of heroin abuse made earlier through information from patients and the current survey is more than five times. It is suggested that currently used estimates may be reviewed critically