Towards an electronic national injury surveillance system in Saudi Arabia

Given the need for a uniform, comprehensive, electronic nationwide surveillance system for injuries in Saudi Arabia, a system was designed with the objectives of establishing an epidemiologic profile of injuries in the country; evaluating injury indicators on an ongoing basis; identifying high-risk groups requiring specific interventions; monitoring and evaluating interventions for effectiveness; and producing reports to assist in planning and resource allocation. A special form for this purpose was designed, modified from validated forms used elsewhere for injury surveillance. This initiative of the Ministry of Health is also expected to help validate data collected by other sectors, such as the Ministry of Interior. This paper reviews the milestones of building the system and aims to prompt a debate within the scientific community, especially within the Eastern Mediterranean Region, about the best way to design injury surveillance systems for the Region in order to fine-tune the proposed system before its full-scale implementation

Thoracic ectopic kidney in a 86 year old male with multiple co-morbidities

Thoracic ectopic kidney is a rare congenital anomaly that is often missed. We report a case of diaphragmatic hernia associated with a left thoracic ectopic kidney and bowel herniation into the left hemithorax. Radiological studies including chest radiology and computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis

Electrical properties of moist limestone samples in the frequency range 1Hz-10[7] from Abu Rawash area

The dielectric constant and electrical resistivity of Abu Rawash limestone samples are measured at some varying atmospheric relative humidity and room temperature [almost equal to] 22C [degree sign]] in the frequency range [1 Hz- 10[7] Hz]. Little increase in the atmospheric humidity varies resistivities by 4 orders or more of magnitude. Variations in the dielectric constant of the same order can also be obtained. Frequency dependent impedance measurements indicate that, the overall electrical response of a rock sample is controlled by one or more of three conduction mechanisms, which can be identified as: [i] conduction through adsorbing water layer on solid surfaces, [ii] conduction through mass transportation or diffusion through pore spaces filled with water and [iii] high frequency [radio frequency and higher] conduction. Cation exchange capacity [CEC] plays the essential role in defining the electrical properties of solid-solution interfaces. Mass transport or diffusion impedance, as affected by measuring electrode properties, may also be called diffusion controlled impedance. It takes place at frequencies lower than the chemical reaction. The high frequency conduction mechanism is controlled by the intrinsic properties of the sample constituents

Effect of the local specie of Aloe on the healing precess

Aloe barbadensis Mill. [Syn. Aloe vera Tourn. Ex. Linn] has been used as a healing agent. There are certain reports which indicate that Aloe barbadensis helps in process of healing of wounds. However, no study has been carried out on this plant in Pakistan. In the present study results show that the cream prepared from the local specie of Aloe barbadensis has very significant effect on the process of healing