outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) due to coronavirus in Al-Ahssa Region, Saudi Arabia, 2015

Between 19 April and 23 June 2015, 52 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome due to coronavirus [MERS] were reported from Al-Ahssa region, eastern Saudi Arabia. The first seven cases occurred in one family; these were followed by 45 cases in three public hospitals. The objectives of this investigation were to describe the epidemiological characteristic of the cluster and identify potential risk factors and control measures to be instituted to prevent further occurrence of MERS. We obtained the medical records of all confirmed cases, interviewed the members of the affected household and reviewed the actions taken by the health authorities. All the cases were connected. The index case was a 62-year-old man with a history of close contact with dromedary camels; three of the seven infected family members and 18 people in hospitals died [case-fatality rate, 40.4%]. The median incubation period was about 6 days. The cluster of cases appeared to be due to high exposure to MERS, delayed diagnosis, inadequate risk communication and inadequate compliance of hospital health workers and visitors with infection prevention and control measures

Effects of voluntary exercise on heart function in streptozotocin [STZ] - induced diabetic rat

Exercise training improves cardiac performance and has been utilized as an effective adjunct to pharmacotherapy in the management of diabetes mellitus. The aims of this study were to characterize voluntary exercise habits in streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats and investigate whether attained levels of voluntary exercise induce effects on diabetic heart function. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ [60 mg/kg]. Animals were divided into 4 groups: Control Sedentary [CS], Diabetic Sedentary [DS], Control Running [CR] and Diabetic Running [DR]. DR and CR rats were provided with running wheels. Body weight and blood glucose were measured in running rats at the start and end of the 60-day exercise period. Ventricular action potentials were measured in spontaneously beating heart. Shortening and intracellular Ca[2+] were measured in electrically stimulated ventricular myocytes. DR rats exercised less than CR rats. At 60 days the mean distance covered by DR rats was 1027 +/- 289 m compared to 5975 +/- 1117min CR rats. CR gained whilst DR rats lost weight at the end of the exercise period. Mean blood glucose in CR and DR rats at the start of the exercise period was 71 +/- 4 and 426 +/- 21 mg/dl, respectively. Glucose levels were not altered in CR rats but were reduced in DR rats at the end of the exercise period. The time to peak shortening and peak Ca[2+] transient and time to half relaxation of the Ca[2+] transient were prolonged in myocytes from DS compared to CS rats and were not additionally altered by voluntary exercise. In conclusion, diabetic rats were less inclined to partake in voluntary exercise compared to controls and the levels and duration of exercise were insufficient to significantly alter cardiac performance in either control or diabetic rats

Creatine kenase, creatine kinesa-B subunit and ECG study in acute myocardial infarction

To determine the significance of total creatine kinase [CK] and its isoenzyme [CK-MB] measurement as well as electrocardiography [ECG] in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Design: This was a descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at King Hussein Medical Centre, Jordan, that extended over four months period. Subjects and We evaluated a diagnostic strategy by studying a group of 300 patients suspected of having an acute myocardial infarction and 300 individuals as control. Individuals studied were between 37-75 years of age. Serum total CK, CK-MB were determined every 12 hours by CK, CK-MB. NAC activated methods [Boehringer Mannheim's] using Brioten 10 semiautoanalyzer. In acute myocardial infarction [AMI] patients, the mean value of total CK as well as CK-MB was greater than normal range in both sexes. The maximum peak was found to be 8 hours for males and 12 hours for females, after the onset of myocardial infarction. Antero septal myocardial infarction [in males], was almost twice as common as inferior myocardial infarction and much more common than high lateral or antero lateral myocardial infarction. This study demonstrated that measurement of total CK, CK-MB and ECG is currently the test of choice to confirm the diagnosis of an AMI. This strategy is adequate and cost-effective for the diagnosis of AMI as well as in identifying people at high risk of AMI. Measurement of total CK and CK-MB, as well as performing ECG, is an effective way of identifying patients at high risk of A2

Tetracyclines in dentistry

Since their discovery in 1948, tetracyclines have been widely used in dentistry. They have the capability of binding to mineralised tissues and of being slowly released from these tissues in an active form. Thus, the substantivity nature of tetracyclines, their effectiveness against periodontopathic microorganisms, their ability to be concentrated in gingival fluid with higher than blood levels and their ability to inhibit the action of collagenase enzymes make them the drugs of choice in periodontal therapy. However, caution should be taken in using these drugs because of their other adverse reactions