Dietary energy and protein requirements for Saudi Arabia: a methodological approach

Based on the available scientific information on human requirements, recommended dietary allowances of energy and protein for different age and sex groups of Saudis were estimated. The per capita requirements of energy and protein [NPU 0.8] at national level were calculated to be 2100 kcal per day and 53 g per day respectively. For men of reference body size 65 kg, the average recommended allowances are 2800 kcal per day and 65 g of protein per day. For women of reference body weight 56 kg, these are 2100 kcal per day and 56 g of protein per day. Additional recommended daily allowances for pregnant and lactating women are given. Protein-energy ratio percentage was calculated as 6%-12%. RDAs and reported energy and protein intakes are compared

Comparison between combinations of tropisetron and dexamethasone with metoclopramide cocktail in the prevention of cisplatin induced emesis

A prospective, randomized, cross-over trial was conducted to compare the anti-emetic effect and tolerability of high dose metoclopramide cocktail with combination of tropisetron and dexamethasone, in patients receiving cisplatin based chemotherapy. Twenty five chemotherapy na‹ve patients receiving cisplatin based chemotherapy were enrolled. 21 [13 male and 8 female] patients were evaluable for analysis. Mean age was 45 years. Mean cisplatin dose was 70 mg/m2. 12 patients [57%] received tropisetron and dexamethasone as first course while 9 patients received metoclopramide cocktail as first course. They were then corssed-over. In the tropisetron group, complete protection in the first 24 hours [acute stage] was 71.5% and 76% respectively. In the metoclopramide group, complete protection against nausea and vomiting in the acute stage was 34% and 28% repectively [p< 0.05 for both]. Tropisetron provided 43% and 52.5% complete protection from nausea and vomiting respectively in the delayed stage while metoclopramide cocktail provide 19% and 33% complete protection only [P=nd. and P< 0.05 resectively]. Side effects in the tropisteron group included mild headache in 3 [15%] and abdominal discomfort in 2 [10%] patients. In the metoclopramide group, 1 patient [5%] had extrapyramidal side-effects and 2 [10%] complained of drowsiness. Tropisetron combined with daxamethasone has superior anti-emetic properties. It is safe, effective and well tolerated

Standardization of ELISA technique for the detection of antibodies to chlamydia pneumoniae

A number of different detergents were used to extract genus-specific, chlamydial lipopolysaccharide [LPS] antigen and to standardize ELISA test for the determination of specific antibody against Chlamydia pneumoniae. The results with a panel of specific and cross-reactive sera indicated that the test was specific, and the cross-reactvity for human sera was due to the presence of antibodies to more than one species. A strong correlation was found between ELISA and the microimmunfluorescence [MIF] test [r=0.981]; however, the former test has the advantage of simplicity and ease of interpretation, and therefore can be used for epidemiological studies

Nutritional status of college girls of Faisalabad city

A nutrition assessment study was undertaken on 805 girls of 17-22 years age from the two local girls colleges of Fasisalabad city. Different nutritional status indicators i.e.anthropometric, biochemical and dietary, were used to evaluate the degree of malnutrition. The study revealed that the height, weight, skinfolds thickness, arm circumference values were significantly below the international standards. Haemoglopin content in 20% of the total randomly selected cases, total serum proteins and serum albumin in 45 randomly selected cases were found to be below the international standards in all groups. Nutrient contents id diet were found to be below the recommended allowances. Our results show that inadequate supply of food to the college girls and socio-economic system were mainly responsible for poor anthropometric indices and of high prevalence of anemia among those apparently health young girls

Carcinoma of biliary tract: a one year experience

7 cases of carcinoma of biliary tract were admitted to Surgical Unit-VI Civil Hospital Karachi during a 12 month period [March 1989 to February 1990]. Carcinoma of the gall bladder is rare in the western world [1% of total cholecysteclomies]. In our series of 46 cholecysteclomies 7 [15.2%] had carcinoma of gall bladder. Of these 7 only 1 was male. Only 1 patient presented in stage 2, the remaining 6 being stage 5. The age ranged from 50-70 years in patients with carcinoma as against 20-60 years in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign disease

Vitamin A and carotene levels in patients with xerophthalmia

Thirty patients of xerophthalmia were studied to determine vitamin A and carotene levels and effect of vitamin A supplementation. The pretreatment levels of plasma vitamin A were low in all 30 patients and significantly low as compared to controls. The clinical deficiency correlated well with the low levels of vitamin A which also indicate dc dietary deficiency of this vitamin. Most of the patients had defective visions. Flowing intensive vitamin A therapy, the ocular lesions responded well in patients with conjunctival xerosis, Bitot's shots corneal ulceration and night blindness. No changes were noted in patients with partial and total. keratomalacia. Recurrence was observed in four cases

Bis-acrylate espe-visio gem crown and bridge veneer material: Part II

A step by step technique of making a Visio gem bridge in the laboratory has been described in detail. This new sytem in terms of its working characteristcs is similar to ceramics. The single component materials, however, is much easier, quicker, less expensive and requires less trained technicians to produce these crowns and bridges

Neuro vascular relationship between superior cerebellar artery and trigeminal nerve

One of the mechanisms suggested for the etiology of trigeminal neuralgia is compression and distortion of the nerve in the pontine zone by the superior and anterior inferior cerebellar arteries or their branches. Conflicting reports have been presented by various workers on this issue. The present study was conducted on cadaveric specimens. The superior cerebellar artery was found to be in contact with the trigeminal nerve in 34.1% and within 1 - 2 mm in 19.5% of cases. Other features of the neuro-vascular relationship were also studied. It is concluded that due to its very close relationship the superior cerebellar artery could possibly cause compression and distortion of the trigeminal nerve

pheochromocytoma

Phaeochromocytoma is a surgically curable condition and every effort should be made for early diagnosis and treatment. Failure to diagnose may lead to unnecessary delay in treatment and cause suffering to the patient