Correlación entre el grado de hipertensión arterial y el índice de estrés oxidativo. Estudio de cohorte en una población de pacientes hipertensos sistémicos en República Dominicana / Correlation between the arterial hypertension degree and oxidative stress index. Cohort study in a population of systemic hypertensive patients in Dominican Republic

Introducción: la hipertensión arterial (HTA) es una de las mayores cargas de enfermedad y riesgo para infarto cardíaco, la insuficiencia cardíaca y el fallo renal. Se reconoce que el estrés oxidativo (EO) es un determinante en el desarrollo de complicaciones y el progreso de la HTA. Se determinó el índice de EO (IEO) en individuos con HTA y en un grupo sano control, para evaluar su posible correlación. Materiales y métodos: se midió IEO en una población de 112 individuos con HTA de distintos grados entre 50 y 70 años escogidos al azar y se comparó con los valores de un grupo control de voluntarios sanos, con la intención de definir el grado de correlación entre los niveles del IEO y la severidad de HTA, mediante la medición de biomarcadores para el EO en lisado de eritrocitos. Resultados: a pesar de que los beneficios de la terapia antioxidante (TAO) no han sido definitivamente probadas, en gran parte porque las enfermedades complejas no dependen de un solo componente fisiopatogénico, el EO sigue siendo una piedra angular en el desarrollo de complicaciones y el empeoramiento de los cuadros clínicos de muchos padecimientos. La demostración de biomarcardores específicos mejora la posibilidad de una TAO dirigida. El presente ensayo demostró que la edad, el género y la etnia no influyen en el IEO y que el EO fue severo en los casos de HTA iii, moderado en HTA ii y estuvo ausente en el subgrupo con HTA grado i. Conclusiones: estos resultados sugieren una relación entre los niveles de EO y severidad de HTA y sustenta evidencias para diseñar nuevos ensayos clínicos que evalúen la eficacia de una TAO adyuvante en el manejo de la HTA

Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AHT) is one of the major burdens of disease and risk for cardiac infarction, heart failure and renal failure. It is recognized that the oxidative stress (OS) is a determining factor in the development of complications and the progress of the AHT. OS Index (OSI) in individuals with AHT and a healthy control group, was determined to assess their possible correlation. Methods: OSI was measured in a population of 112 individuals with AHT of different levels between 50 and 70 years old, chosen at random and compared with the values of healthy volunteers control group with the aim of defining the degree of correlation between the levels of the OSI and the AHT severity, by measuring biomarkers for OS in a red cell lysate. Discussion: Despite the benefits of an antioxidant therapy (AOT) have not been definitely proven, largely because the complex diseases do not depend on a single pathophysiological component, OS remains as a cornerstone in the development of complications and the worsening of the clinical pictures of many ailments. The demonstration of specific biomarkers improve the possibility of an addressed AOT. This trial showed th at the age, gender and ethnicity do not influence the OSI and that OS was severe in HTA iii cases, moderate in HTA ii cases and was absent in the subgroup with HTA i. Conclusions: These results suggest a relationship between levels of EO and severity of hypertension and support evidence to design new clinical trials assessing the efficacy of an adjuvant AOT in the management of HTA

The prevalence of, and factors related to, compliance with glove utilization among nurses in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Increasing risk of HIV infections among health care workers has been a continuing concern. The study was designed to identify the compliance of glove utilization, and factors related to non-compliance. A sample of 150 staff nurses were recruited from the study population of 550 nurses in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Data were collected by using a structured self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 98.4%. The study revealed a low compliance (13.5%) of glove utilization (for all 9 procedures), which varied among different procedures (27-97%). Younger nurses and those with shorter duration of working experience had better knowledge of Universal Precautions. Nurses in intensive care unit and operation theatre were better in both knowledge and compliance of glove utilization. The three commonest misconceptions were identified as "selective use of gloves for high risk groups and suspected cases", and "tendency to depend on HIV prevalence". Nurses reported practical problems including administrative and personal related such as "stock irregularity" (46%), "glove not available at the emergency sites" (44%), and "reduction of tactile sensation" (39%). It was concluded that poor knowledge and practical problems were possible responsible factors for the low compliance. A good training for nurses comprising principle and practice of Universal Precautions, updated knowledge of blood and body fluid borne infections and risk and its management, will probably improve the compliance.

Respiratory health of rice millers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

A cross sectional study was carried out to evaluate the effect of rice husk dust in rice millers in Malaysia. Altogether 69 workers participated in this study. They were interviewed using standardized questionnaires and lung function tests were performed. Chest tightness was among the common symptoms (34.9%) complained by workers. Age, duration of employment and smoking status were among the factors associated with respiratory symptoms (p < 0.01). Lung function tests revealed some degree of impairment compared to the healthy population.

Field evaluation of two diagnostic antigen tests for Wuchereria bancrofti infection among Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia.

Two commercially available diagnostic tools (Tro-Bio ELISA and ICT card test) were used to detect circulating filarial antigen of Wuchereria bancrofti infections among Indian expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia. Daytime serum samples collected from 302 individuals (210 men and 92 women) were tested. Night blood surveys for microfilaraemia were restricted to those individuals who became positive for the trop-Bio assay test. The overall prevalence of filarial antigeaemia was 10.6% (32 individuals). Of these 32 antigen positive cases, microfilariae were found in 10 men (31.3%), with a mean microfilarial count of 105 mff/ml. No positive antigen results were found in control sera from 200 native healthy Saudis or from patients with helminthic infections (schistosomiasis, echinicoccosis, hookworm, ascariasis and trichuriasis). All 32 positive sera with the Trop-Bio ELISA showed a positive ICT card reaction (specificity and sensitivity 100%). It is concluded that, in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, where a continuous flow of south- and southeastern workers coming from areas endemic for bancroftian filariasis, the ICT card test may be useful in monitoring the potential risk of introducing bacncroftian filariasis to the host countries.

Pleural effusion in Nejef, a prospective study of 30 cases

The causes of pleural effusion were studied in thirty consecutive patients by clinical examination and laboratory tests. The three most common causes were found to be tuberculosis [12 cases], malignancy [5 cases], bacterial infection [4 cases], while the cause was not found in 4 cases. The various causes and usefulness of different investigations are discussed

Can Iraqi patients use metered dose inhaler correctly?

The technique of self-administering metered dose inhaler [MDI] was assessed in 50 previously treated patients attending for the first time to Saddam Teaching Hospital consultation clinic. In only 11 patients [22%] was inhaler technique adequate. Of those patients with an adequate technique, nine [82%] have been taught how to use the inhaler by the prescribing doctor, whereas of those 39 patients with an inadequate technique only 10 [26%] had received instructions [p<0.001]. Where technique was regularly checked by a consultant or general Practitioner, it was adequate in 7 out of 18 patients [39%] whereas in the remaining 32 patients where no checking occurred it was adequate in only 4 [12.5][p<0.05]. Competence of inhaler technique was not related to age, sex, underlying diagnosis, smoking habit or duration of MDI therapy

Effect of metabolic control on serum lipids in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Changes in serum lipids, as modulated by metabolic control, in non- insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were studied in 51 patients [17 males and 34 famales]. The results were compared to those obtained from a group of 34 healthy non-diabetic controls of matching age and sex. There is a significant difference in the level of serum lipids between the diabetics and non- diabetics. However no effect of the degree of metabolic control on these changes appears to exist in the present study. possible mechanisum underlying these changes are presented

comparative study of the incidence of arrhythmias during fiberoptic bronchoscopy and gastroscopy

Electrocardio graphic monitoring of 50 consecutive patients undergoing fibreoptic gastroscopy and 15 consecutive patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy for various reasons revealed that arrhythmias during these procedures were common. The arrhythmias tended to occur more frequently in the bronchoscopy group [40%] compared to gastroscopy group [16%] [P < 0.05]. The commonest electrocardiographic abnormalities were ventricular premature contraction present in 4 patients in the gastroscopy group and 3 Patients in the bronchoscopy group

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy in diagnosis of pulmonary abnormalities

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy under local anaesthesia was carried out on 67 patients with various clinical and radiological pulmonary abnormalities. The procedure was easy, safe and clarified the diagnosis in all cases. Bronchoscopic appearance suggestive of endobronchial malignancy was the commonest finding in 33 [49.4%] patients, 4 females and 29 males [1 :7.25]. The biopsy verified the various histological types. It is recommended that the procedure should be used on a wider scale and early in patients with different respiratory problems

Recent advances in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is characterized by hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity of bronchi to specific and non specific factors. The cause of this bronchial hyperreactivity is still not clear. However, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of some of the basic biochemical, immunological and physiological processes of this disease. In this article a review concerning the most recent understanding in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma is presented