Prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders among school children in Saudi Arabia: results of a national iodine nutrition study

This study aimed at establishing updated data on iodine nutrition among schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional cluster survey among schoolchildren aged 8-10 years was conducted during February-April 2012. Children were clinically examined for goitre, urine and household salt samples were collected to estimate urinary iodine concenteration [UIC] and iodine content in salt. The overall goitre prevalence at the national level among 4 016 children was 4.2%. The prevalence was < 5% in all regions of the country except southern region with a prevalence of 12.7%. The median UIC of 2224 samples was 133 microg/L, with 74.3% of the surveyed children with UIC>/=100 microg/L. Analysis of salt samples [n = 4242] revealed that 69.8% of households were consuming adequately iodized salt. The findings suggest iodine sufficiency at the national level, however southern region still has a goitre prevalence of mild degree severity and the proportion of households consuming adequately iodized salt is still below recommendations

Isolation of stem cells from the mid gut epithelium of culex pipiens mosquitoes [diptera: culicidae]

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that remarkable ability to self-renew and produce differentiated cells that support normal development and tissue homeostasis. The authors isolated spherical stem cells from the midgut epithelium of the late third larval instars of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. In vitro, cultivated epithelial stem cells were able to proliferate and differentiate in fresh culture for 48 hr in absence of 20- hydroxyecdysone [20-E]. The stem cells were the most common cells in the initial culture. One hundred of epithelial stem cells had been cultured. After 24 hr became 132 cells, 78% was undifferentiated stem cells and 8.3% and 13.7% was enterocytes and goblet cells respectively. This ratio slightly decreased after de 48 hr to be 74% undifferentiated stem cells, 4.5% enterocytes and 5.6% goblet cells. After 72 hr the undifferentiated stem cells were not able to proliferate .The most differentiated goblet and enterocytes survived few days then died

Effect of drinks and temperature on the staining of resin composites coated with surface sealants

Surface staining of resin composite by dietary factors may be modified by the placement of a low-viscosity surface sealant aimed at reducing surface voids and defects occurring after light-curing and polishing.The aim of this study was to investigate the staining effect of various drinks and temperatures on the surface sealant [Fortify Plus] [TM] sealed on a nano-filled resin composite [Supreme XTE] [TM] after artificial aging at different temperatures. Surface sealant was applied on one surface of forty resin composite discs [10×2 mm]. Five discs each were immersed in test solutions of black cola, commercial dark grape juice, coffee and distilled water [negative control]. Discs were either placed at 4 degree Celsius [20 discs] or 37 degree Celsius [20 discs] and the colour difference [delta E] was calculated based on the colour coordinates at 0 [baseline], 7, 14 and 28 days of staining treatment. Two-factor with replication analysis was carried out with ANOVA.The results showed significant discolouration after 28 days immersion in coffee [P<0.001] and grape juice group [P<0.001]. Surface sealant significantly affected colour changes in coffee and grape juice group [P=0.002]. Higher temperatures in coffee and grape juice also significantly increased the effect of staining [P<0.001]. Surface sealant was able to reduce discolouration in the grape juice group only. A lower temperature of 4 degree Celsius caused less staining in coffee and grape juice groups as compared to the 37 degree Celsius corresponding test groups. Prolonged immersion time significantly increased discolouration in coffee and grape juice groups

Capillaria philippinensis: a cause of chronic diarrhea in Upper Egypt

Capillaria philippinensis is a rare zoonotic intestinal parasite that is endemic in Philippines and Thailand. A few cases have been reported in Japan, Iran, Egypt, and Taiwan. The outcome of C. philippinensis may be fatal if untreated in due time. C. philippinensis is an emerging infection in Egypt as a cause of chronic diarrhea; thus, we carried out this study to determine the presence and frequency of C. philippinensis in patients with chronic diarrhea in Upper Egypt. The study included 113 patients with chronic diarrhea attending the Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital. All patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations including stool examination, complete blood count, and assessment of blood urea and serum creatinine, serum albumin, and electrolytes [sodium, potassium, and calcium]. Also, gastroduodenoscopy, duodenal biopsy for histopathological examination, and colonoscopy were performed for every patient. C. philippinensis was reported in seven patients. All of them were young female patients with severe chronic diarrhea, associated with vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, borborygmi, weight loss, and ankle edema; three patients had mild ascites. The seven patients had hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, marked hyokalemia, and hypoalbuminemia. The diagnosis of C. philippinensis was established on finding the characteristic egg of C. philippinensis in the stool of all cases; histopathological examination of the duodenal biopsies indicated heavy cellular infiltration around the adult worm in one of them and larvae in another one. Six patients recovered completely with albendazole treatment 200 mg twice daily for 21 days, whereas one patient died of heart failure because of severe hypoalbuminemia and hypokalemia. Capillariasis is one of the parasitic causes of chronic nonbloody diarrhea in patients in Upper Egypt

Adalimumab for the treatment of refractory sciatica induced by disc prolapse: Abu Dhabi experience

Ten patients with back pain and sciatica were selected according to certain inclusion criteria for a study to assess the efficacy of the Anti TNF agent Adalimumab in the treatment of refractory sciatica pain induced by a lumbar disc prolapse in patients who failed to improve following lumbar epidural steroid or disc surgery. Each was given a subcutaneous injection of 40 mg Adalimumab repeated after two weeks. Patients were assessed regularly on weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8 employing the Visual Analogue Score [VAS] for leg pain and back pain and the Straight Leg Raising [SLR] test. The median improvement of the leg pain VAS was 55. Median improvements of back pain VAS was 37. Median improvement of the SLR was 45. The study demonstrated the beneficial effect of adalimumab therapy in reducing the back and leg pain associated with sciatica in this difficult to treat group of patients. The improvement of leg pain was more significant than that of back pain. The response was better in patients with symptoms of shorter duration and with less SLR restriction at base line

Subtype of hypertension is evidence for preclinical atherosclerosis. A study of carotid artery ultrasonography and biochemical markers

To assess subclinical atherosclerosis in subtypes of hypertension using lipid profile as a biomarker and B mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries. Ninety-six subjects [49 females and 47 males] aged 42-78 years were recruited from the vascular Doppler unit at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq from January to June 2008. They were grouped into normotensive [group I], isolated systolic hypertension [group II], isolated diastolic hypertension [group III], and combined systolic and diastolic hypertension [group IV]. Subclinical atherosclerosis was observed in groups III and IV in terms of significantly low levels of high-density lipoprotein, high levels of low-density lipoprotein, and high atherogenic index. The mean intima media thickness was significantly increased with transition from group I to group IV in all carotid arteries, and the mean resistive index value of each carotid artery in group IV was significantly higher than that of group I. Carotid plaque was demonstrated in a significantly higher percent in group IV [12 out of 15] followed by groups III [14 out of 31] and II [1 out of 30]. Lipid profile and high resolution B-mode ultrasonography of the carotids are good predictive measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. Isolated diastolic hypertension and combined systolic-diastolic hypertension accounts for early subclinical atherosclerosis compared with isolated systolic hypertension

prevalence of weight loss assessed by body mass index in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and weight loss has long been recognized and is a common clinical observation and it is one of the systemic manifestations of COPD. A number of studies have identified weight loss and low body mass index [BMI] as independent predictors of mortality and worse prognosis. We have undertaken this study to confirm the association between BMI, weight loss and COPD and the relation to its severity. A cross section study of 100 patients with stable COPD have been identified and classified according to Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] guideline. BMI have been calculated according to the formula: BMI=Body Weight [kg]/Height[2] [kg/m[2]] Subjects; were classified according to the BMI in to three groups using World Health Organization guideline: underweight, normal weight and overweight also classified as current cigarette smokers and ex smokers. It had been shown in this study that the underweight more common in COPD [23%],compared with the control subjects only [7%].low BMI significantly associated with more severe stages of COPD and in current smoker than in Ex-smoker and with increase in age, but there is no significant difference between gender and nutritional status. Weight loss is a prevalent condition in patients with COPD and BMI can be used to assess this relationship there was an interaction between smoking habits and BMI in COPD patients. BMI correlates well with FEV1 and COPD severity and can be used by every clinician because it is a simple, inexpensive, readily available tool

Effect of Artemesia plant on parasite load and morbidity in murine Schistosomiasis mansoni

The efficacy of Artemesia inculta and A. absinthium, on oogram changes, tissue egg load and hepatic granuloma was evaluated in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni. The ethanol extract of each plant was given in a dose of 800mg/kg b.w. to all treated groups at different time intervals 7 week's, post infection [P.I.] and 24 hrs, 7 and 15 days post infection. Their effect was more obvious when the plant extract was given 24 hrs, 7 and 15 days post infection; where the number of dead ova was 15.95 +/- 0.49 [A. inculta] and 15.80 +/- 0.45 [A. absinthium] compared to 12.03 +/- 0.0 and 14.00 +/- 0.42 when both extracts where given respectively 7 week P.I. Concerning the number of ova/gm liver, the percentage reduction was 38.14% and 43.46% when [A. inculta and A. absinthium] extracts were given 24 hrs, 7 and 15 days post infection compared to 5.25% and 12.78% where both extracts were given respectively 7 weeks P.I. Histopathological effect of A. inculta and A. absinthium, on liver 7 weeks P.I. revealed that granulomas were lobular, cellular with mild fibrous tissue and large in size, while when treatment was 24hrs, 7 and 15 days post infection., smaller granulomas, with more fibrous and normal dilated portal veins, liver architecture was noticed. In conclusion the use of repeated doses of Artemesia plants in the early stages of schistosomiasis infection may be of value in overcoming the recent problem of reinfection, they are less castly and more safe than other antibilharzial drugs, with minimal side effects as revealed by the histopathological studies

Evaluation of molluscicidal and schistosomicidal activity of two species of Egyptiana Plant in schistosomiasis inansoni

The present study showed that the two plants Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia inculta as cold or boiled water suspensions of their dry powder were nontoxic against Biomphalaria Alexandrina snails. On the other hand, the ethanol extracts of A. absinthium and A. inculta were effective as molluscicides against B. Alexandrina, and the LC9O being 250 ppm and 400 ppm respectively, after 24 hours of exposure. It was observed that these LC9O values killed Schistosoma mansoni ova after 15 minutes of exposure. The free living larval stages of S. mansoni [miracidia and cercariae]. were killed after 30 and 45 minutes of exposure to LC90 of A. obsinthium and A. inculta respectively. The use of A. absimthium and A. inculta ethanol extracts for treatment of murine schistosomiasis mansoni was studied using different doses of 500 mg I kg, 700 mg /kg and 800 mg I kg to investigate the effect of either extract against immature stages, each dose was given as single oral dose 24 hours post infection, then 7 days post infection and lastly 15 days post infection. To study the effect of A. absinthium and A. inculta against adult Schistosorna worms, each dose of the ethanol extracts was given 7 weeks post infection as single oral dose. The percentages of reduction in mean worm burden 9 weeks post infection in animals treated with either A. absinthium or A. inculta, 7 weeks post infection with a single oral dose of 800 mg/kg, were 39.5% and 38.7% respectively. Moreover, the percentage of reduction in mean number of worms 9 weeks post infection reached 77.32% and 74.9%, respectively by using the same dose [800 mg/kg] for three successive treatment schedule, 24 hours, 7 days and 15 days post infection. Also, the mean number of eggs excreted in stool was significantly decreased with the use of both plants for the all designated time intervals. It is concluded that treatment with the ethanol extracts of Artemisia plants showed high efficacy when given early and in repeated doses in murine schistosomiasis mansoni

Effects of melatonin and zinc on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients poorly controlled with metformin

This project was designed to evaluate the effects of melatonin and zinc on the glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] patients with inadequate response to the oral hypoglycemic agent metformin. A placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial was performed at the Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Al-Rusafa Directorate of Health, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from February to July 2005, in which 46 type 2 diabetic patients were selected and allocated into 3 groups, these groups were treated with single daily oral doses of both 10 mg melatonin and 50 mg zinc acetate alone; 10 mg melatonin and 50 mg zinc acetate in addition to the regularly used metformin or placebo, given at bed time for 90 days. We measured the fasting plasma glucose [FPG], glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] and serum C-peptide before starting the treatment [zero time] and after 30 and 90 days of treatment. We also performed post-prandial glucose excursion test [PPGE] for selected patients from the second and third groups before starting the treatment and after 90 days. Daily administration of melatonin and zinc improved the impaired fasting and post-prandial glycemic control and decreased the level of glycated hemoglobin; addition of this treatment regimen in combination with metformin improved the tissue responses to this oral hypoglycemic agent. The combination of melatonin and zinc acetate, when used alone or in combination with metformin improves fasting and post-prandial glycemic control in T2DM patients

Hyperfunctioning intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma

Intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma is an exceedingly rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism with difficulties in the diagnosis and management. We report a case of hypercalcemia from intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma in a 63-year-old Saudi female. She was diagnosed 2 years earlier with osteoporosis in a primary care clinic and was on alendronate since then. This year she was noted to have hypercalcemia, but in retrospect she had more than 10 years history of multiple medical problems related to hypercalcemia. Parathyroid 99mTc-SestaMIBI scintigraphy revealed parathyroid adenoma in the left inferior parathyroid gland. She had successful video-assisted parathyroidectomy that relieved most of her symptoms. The extreme rarity of such a case, the interesting clinical presentation and review of the literature are discussed

Efficacy of flumethrin and coumaphos against the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarial L. [Acari: ixodidae]

The efficacy of Flumethrin pour on and Coumaphos 50% WP was tested against different stages of Hyalomma dromedarii. With contact method, LC[50] values for larvae and adults were 0.04, 0.03 ug/cm[2] and 0.05, 1.06 ug/cm[2] respectively. The LC[50] for coumaphos against the larvae, adults and eggs using dipping method were 44, 63, and 62 ppm respectively. Flumethrin caused significant reduction in oviposition and hatchability in female ticks that survived sublethal concentrations, while sublethal doses of coumaphos had no effect on the reproductive potential of the tick. The results showed that flumethrin was 8 times more toxic than coumaphos

Application of multiple regression analysis in the estimation of biophysical properties for some environmental pollutants

In this work the application of graph theory in mathematical chemistry is used as a recent theoretical tool to estimate biophysical properties for some groups of environmental pollutants. These groups include sulfur containing alkylating agents, nitrogen containing alkylating agents and some fine benzenoid hydrocarbons having complex structure. Some graph invariants are estimated for the studied chemical pollutants such as, nonadjacent numbers, branching index, path length and wiener index. The found correlations between the estimated graph invariants and the known biophysical properties for the studied pollutants have promising correlation factors as polynomials compared with the linear, logarithmic power or exponential types. This study provided a recent economical tool to estimate the unknown biophysical properties for some environmental pollutants

Human error in radiation safety applications

Through the national program for radiation safety in Egypt, the public response is studied. The precision of the final conclusion of radiation survey is affected by the public response. The national program for radon survey in Egypt is chosen as model for this study. Some of the factors that have influence on the collected data are: The choice of the sites, the procedure of communication with the public, their level of education and their level of awareness about the problem. All these factors affect the public response that ranges from care to carless. These factors may lead to considerable errors in the study due to loss or damage of the detector, inaccurate keeping of the position and changes in exposure period. All the above probable sources of error need a further detailed weighting evaluation to lead finally to precise radiation survey

Hyperuricaemia and gout the value of uric a cid excretion factor

Study of patients having high blood uric acid accompanied with various complaints, and the basis of their treatment. We prospectively reviewed 86 patients with hyperuricaemia presenting with a variety of clinical manifestations. Evaluation of the serum uric acid and the 24-hour uric acid in the urine. From these two items we could find out an equation to denote the uric acid excretion index [UAEI] which guided us in the choice of the maintenance thug therapy in the different groups studied. We could differentiate the patients into three groups: 60 under excretors [69.8%], 10 over producers [11.6%] and 16 normal excretors [18.6%]. We strongly recommend the routine calculation of the UAEI before deciding the long term medical treatment in hyperuricaemia

Pronation injuries of the ankle in children a prospective study of forty-four cases

Pronation injuries of the ankle in children with open growth plate constitute a minority of ankle injuries encountered by the orthopedic surgeon. The clinical and radiographic assessment is essential before a decision is made regarding the method of treatment. 24 cases of such injuries seen during the period from March 1985 to June 1990 were presented. 20 cases were males and 4 cases were females. The average age was 11.5 years [range 5 to 18 years]. 12 cases were treated conservatively and 12 cases were treated surgically. The average period of follow up was 2.7 years [range 9 to 48 months]. The methods of clinical and radiographic assessment, the type of classification followed, the indications for the chosen line of treatment, as well as the outcome of different lines of treatment were mentioned

Treatment of trochantric fractures using the dynamic hip screw

Forty three patients with trochanteric fractures were surgically treated using the dynamic hip screw. Their mean age was sixty four. Two patients died during the postoperative hospital stay, three patients died during the first three months postoperatively of medical causes unrelated to the surgery and two patients were lost for follow up. The other thirty-six patients could be regularly followed up for an average period of seven months. Seventy five per cent of these patients could regain their prefracture level of activity. Two failures occurred, one due to improper implant choice and the other due to an operative technical error

Simultaneous bilateral stress fractures of the tibiae: a study of four cases

The clinical syndrome of stress fractures can be difficult to identify and diagnosis may be overlooked especially if not suspected.With advances of radiographic techniques and radiostopic studies, it is now possible to diagnose these cases early.Simultaneous bilateral stress fractures were previously reported, though uncommon, to occur in the metatarsals, oscalcis, pubic bones and ribs.We present four cases with stress fractures of the tibia occuring simultaneously on both sides, which we think was not reported beforehand.The pathomechancis of injury, clinical data for diagnosis, and methods of early detection are mentioned