Patterns of tobacco use: results from the 2005 Global Youth Tobacco Survey in Lebanon

We report the results of the 2005 Global Youth Tobacco Survey in Lebanon which investigated the self-reported attitudes and behaviours related to tobacco among 3314 Lebanese schoolchildren aged 13-15 years. Current use of any tobacco product was 60.1%; the use of cigarettes was 10% and other tobacco products 59% with male predominance in all areas. About 80% of students lived in homes where others smoked. About 60% of current smokers wanted to quit smoking and 51% of all students had learned about the effects of tobacco in class. Over a quarter [27%] thought that boys who smoke have more friends and 17% believed that smoking makes boys more attractive. The majority of students had been exposed to both anti-smoking media messages and pro-smoking advertisements

Association hepatite virale chronique C et purpura thrombopenique severe

Thrombocytopenia is a common extrahepatic manifestation of chronic viral hepatitis C. Many mechanisms are implicated in its genesis, specially the immunological factor. Several ways of treatment were used with a temporal efficiency. We reported an observation of a 62 year old female-pateint of chronic viral hepatitis C, who developed a severe thrombocytopenic purpura. Steroid therapy was ineffective. Treatment of such cases is difficult as association of immunosuppressive therapy increases the platelet count, but lad to severe hepatocellular insufficiency due to its negative effect on the hepatic function. Using other molecules as the immunoglobulines or interleukin II constitute a promising alternative way of treatment

new practical classification of axillary lymph nodes

Leveling of axillary nodes in relation to the pectoralis minor muscle is not practical anymore as the muscle is not included in the operative field or the surgical specimen removed. In this study, 21 axillae in the postmortem room were examined. In ten subjects, the axillary vessels were injected with polyvinyl chloride latex and the relation of their branches to the pectoralis minor was assessed. In the remaining eleven subjects, axillary evacuation was done in relation to the lateral and supreme thoracic vessels. The removed specimens were fixed, defatened and transilluminated for nodes dissection and counting. Accordingly, the axillary nodes were classified into three major groups: The lateral thoracic group with an average number of 14 nodes [SD +/- 6.1], the interthoracic group average of 6 nodes [SD +/- 3.78]and the supreme thoracic group average of 3 nodes [SD +/- 2.38]