Disturbance in serum silicon level in hemodialysis patients in Ramadi

This study was performed during the first quarter of 1998 on 15 hemodialysis patients at the Dialysis Unit in Saddam General Hospital in Ramadi. Serum Silicon as well as other elements were determined by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy [ICP]. High levels of silicon and aluminum, associated with low levels of calcium were observed in three patients. No other variations were noticed in other elements. To avoid additional burdens on the health of dialysis patients, the causes of trace element disturbances associated with this technique are discussed, and few recommendations are offered

Dominance of one cerebral hemisphere in man. A survey study based on handedness and its pattern of inheritance in a sample of Iraqis

A survey was conducted in four high schools in westen Iraq, in which each student was asked to report on the handedness of his parents, his brothers and sisters, and himself. The size of the sample reached 10,000 individuals. The percentage of the right and left hand users in the group as a whole were 93.7% and 6.3% respectively. Comparing male and female right-handedness, the number of females was higher than males by 1.5%. To trace heredity of the trait, the Chi-square test for association and the conditional probabilities were calculated. They proved the following: 1. significant association and interaction exist between the characteristics of parents and those of their children. 2- cerebral dominance for handedness is heritable as reflected by the heredity of the trait, which follows clear interaction patterns

Movement of ear pinna in man. Its frequency, heritability and significance. A survey study in western Iraq

This survey was conducted to determine-the percentage of those who are able to move their auricles, and to establish a concept for the heredity of the trait in western Iraq. The sample size was 10,000 individuals. Results have shown that for every one thousand there were eight persons able to move their auricics [0.8%], and the trait was more frequent in males than females with a ratio of 4 1 Statistically there was a significant association between the children and parents, and the trait appeared to be heritable

Gross congenital malformations in neonates in Ramadi city during the year 1990: types, incidence, and possible teratogens

This study was conducted on the newly born infants in Ramnadi obstetric and pediatric hospital during the year 1990. The type of the gross anomaly, its prevalence, and the risk factor were studied for each case out of 6988 neonates, 55 showed gross congenital anomalies [0.79%]. Anomalies of skull, meninges, and brain were the most common [58 followed by musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal deformities [14.53% each], urogenital [727%], cardiovascular [3.64%], and finally skin [1.82%]. Consanguinity, multiparity, and the hot peak of summer months coinciding with the most sensitive embryonic period [2nd month], appeared to be the most common teratogenic factors in this area

effects of 7 days starvation and refeeding on livers of normal albino, and genetically diabetic [db/db] mice: a biochemical and morphological study

This study examines the effects of 7 day starvation and refeeding on plasma glucose, hepatic glycogen%, and hepatic ultrastructure in normal and db/db mice At the end of the starvation period, normal animals lost 40% of their total body weight, while the obese db/db mice lost only 10%. Plasma glucose levels were 40 +/- 9 mg% in normal, and 220 +/- 42 mg% in db/db mice. Traces of glycogen were detected in both livers [n: 0.3 +/- 0.01%, db/db: 0.5 +/- 0.04%]. Electron micrographs showed accumulation of lipid droplets, large autophagic vacules, and swollen mitochondria in starved normal liver cells, while starved db/db hepatocytes contained larger and normally looking mitochondria. Four hours after feeding, plasma glucose and hepatic glycogen rose to ad lib levels and stayed thereafter. In micrographs, lipid droplets and lysosomes were replaced by glycogen masses. Diabetic mice, however, always maintained higher plasma glucose, and larger lipid droplets in liver cells before and after feeding. It is concluded from this study that, normal and diabetic mice respond differently to starvation and refeeding. Plasma glucose levels and cell morphology recover earlier in normal mice

Effect of fasting on lysosomes and peroxisomes in periportal and centrilobular hepatocytes: an electron microscopic study with quantitative analysis

This study examines the changes in the numbers of lysosomes and peroxisomes in centrilobular and periportal mouse hepatocytes following a 30-hour fasting period. The two organelles were counted per unit area of cytoplasm in groups of micrographs bearing the same number and magnification from each control fed and fasted liver. Results indicated that lysosomes increase with fasting by 100% in periportal cells [PC] and 140% in centrilobular cells [CC], while peroxisomes increased by 50% in PC and 140% in CC, compared to similar cells from fed animals. It is suggested that the two organelles play a significant role in fasting, that seems to be exagerated in cells around the central vein

Diagnosis of vaginal discharge in Erbil women, Erbil, Northern Iraq

Women presented to the Erbil teaching hospital with vaginal discharge [leucorrhea] as a major complaint were investigated for the possible causes. During the years 1984 and 1985, 260 cases were examined. Candida albicans was the most frequent organism associated with vaginal discharge [76 casses]. Trichomonas vaginalis came next [44 cases]. Four cases had both Monilia and Trichomonas infection associated. Several types of bacteria were also isolated. In order of frequency, coagulase [-] ve Staph, Micrococci, E. coli. Lactobacilli, coagulase [+] ve staph, and alpha hemolytic streptococci were isolated. Rare types detected were: Niesseria gonorrheae, Haemophilus vaginalis, and Pseudomonas. Associated physiological or pathological conditions [and possibly predisposing factors as well], were observed, 24 cases were pregnant, 30 cases after delivery or abortion, and eight women with intrauterine contraceptive devices [IUCD]. Local examination revealed one case with a small pedunculated fibroid, and 35 cases with cervical erosion

number of joints in the adult human body as determined by Prophet Muhammad 14 centuries ago

The number of joints in the human body was given by the unlettered Prophet and Apostle Muhammad 14 centuries ago. In his great Hadith, told by Hadrat Aisha, this number is 360. After telling the number of joints in the body, the prophet then asked each believer-in the same Hadith-to do righteous deeds as much as the number of his joints [360]. This, to help him move away from Hell on the day of resurrection. In this work, we have tried to count joints in the adult human body one by one, big and small. The total number told by the Prophet turned to be true. Since information a bout the total number of joints is lacking in moder anatomy, and, because it wasn't easy to do it at the Prophet's time, we conclude that, this is yet another scientific fact revealed earlier by Islam, and correlates well with modern scientific findings