Have neonatal mortality rates in the state of Qatar become static? A PEARL study analysis

To ascertain the national neonatal mortality rate in Qatar during the first quarter of 2011 [1 January-31 March], we carried out a prospective pilot national epidemiologic study. Nationwide birth and neonatal mortality data were collected using predesigned, structured questionnaires. To analyse trends over the previous 4 years [2008-2011] we used neonatal mortality data for 2008-2010 from the database of the neonatal unit at the Women's Hospital, annual reports of Hamad Medical Corporation, and published neonatal mortality data for 2010 for comparative analysis. A total of 4909 live births and 21 neonatal deaths were recorded during the study period. The neonatal mortality rate was 4.28 /1000 live births [corrected neonatal mortality rate 2.85 /1000]. The early neonatal mortality rate was 1.84 /1000 and the late neonatal mortality rate was 2.44/1000 live births. Fifteen of the 21 neonatal deaths were in non-Qatari babies, reflecting the ethnic distribution in the population. Neonatal mortality rates in Qatar declined very little between 2008 and the first quarter of 2011

Assessment of lung cancer risk due to indoor radon exposure in inhabitants of the state of Azad Kashmir; Pakistan

Several epidemiological studies conducted on underground miner's show that exposure to elevated levels of radioactive radon gas is expected to increase the risk of lung cancer. Relative risk of lung cancer is almost linear with radon exposure. Elevated concentrations of radon are not only reported within mines but also for closed indoor environment of general public houses. Measurements of radon play a serious role in scrutinizing public health and safety in homes. Indoor radon measurements were taken over a period of year, using CR-39 detectors. Measured indoor radon concentrations, was converted in to excess relative risk [ERR] factors by using the risk model reported in the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation [BEIR VI] report. ERR was calculated for age groups of 35 and 55 years. A careful selection of occupancy factor based on interviews with house occupants has been made. Using this local occupancy factor, average excess lung cancer risk for the age group of 35 and 54 y peoples was found to 0.51 +/- 0.03 and 0.42 +/- 0.03. Similarly average values of ERR for local occupancy factor with ages 35 and 55 years was found as 0.59 +/- 0.03 and 0.45 +/- 0.03. The overall average excess lung cancer risk for the studied area was 0.46 +/- 0.03. The study suggested that United State Environmental Protection Agency [US EPA] occupancy factor gave a higher excess lung cancer risk as compared with the local occupancy factor used for studied areas. The ERR due to indoor radon is within the standard limits and does not pose any serious threat to the occupants of the houses under investigation

Virilization in a female neonate due to increased maternal androgens

Virilization in a female newborn is usually due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia and requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. A full-term female infant born with ambiguous genitalia was admitted for evaluation. We identified Prader stage 2, normal serum testosterone, normal 17-hydroxyprogesterone and normal female karyotyping [46XX]. The mother had virilization during the first trimester and was found to have elevated serum testosterone on the second day of delivery. High maternal serum testosterone levels can result in virilization in a female newborn and we emphasize the need to consider possible underlying maternal pathology in evaluating such cases

frequency of old world cutaneous leishmaniasis in skin ulcers in Peshawar

Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis [OWCL] is a preventable skin infection that leads to morbidity and social isolation. It is spreading rapidly. The sore of OWCL may be a non-ulcerative red papule, nodule or a large mutilating ulcer. The ulcer is typically painless and can leave a disfiguring scar. This was a descriptive study. The diagnosis of OWCL was established by finding LD bodies in skin smear preparation. This study identified 1680 cutaneous leishmaniasis in 1767 skin ulcers. Children [n=924] were infected more than other age groups [n=756]. There were typical skin sore of OWCL in 1512 cases while 168 patients had a typical presentation. The ulcers were painless in 1603 patients. History of insect bite was present in 1366 cases, thorn prick in 156 patients, religious visit to endemic areas in 256 patients, and 4 patients had post surgical non healing wound. Lesions with 4 to 6 months of age had a maximum yield of LD bodies. There were 498 patients from different areas of Peshawar; 688 cases from leishmania endemic belt of FATA while 89 patients came from other urban and rural areas of NWFP. There is a tremendous increase in cases of OWCL and the disease became endemic in many regions of Pakistan. The bordering areas along Afghanistan have constituted and endemic belt that had invaded the neighboring urban and rural areas. Several chronic non healing ulcers had been diagnosed as OWCL. Many cases have been detected in Peshawar. People need education about the nature of the diseases and the efficacy of personal protective measures. Spray with suitable insecticides is required in all residential areas

Congenital hyperinsulinism in a neonate due to a novel homozygous mutation [ABCC8]: a case report

Congenital hyperinsulinism [CHI], a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease, is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infancy. It is characterized by the unregulated secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells in relation to blood glucose concentration. The most common form of CHI is associated with autosomal recessive mutations in genes ABCC8 and KCNJ11, encoding the two subunits of the pancreatic beta-cells ATP sensitive potassium channel [KATP]. When the disease presents in the neonatal period, early diagnosis and maintenance of normoglycaemia are essential to prevent adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Prenatal diagnosis of CHI with a know mutation is a promising new avenue which will ensure early and appropriate postnatal intervention and improved long term outcome. We report a case of neonatal CHI due to homozygous recessive mutation in the ABCC8 gene. The parents were asymptomatic carriers of ABCC8 gene. A review of literature and update on the genetics of the disease is presented in this article

Chemical and biological investigation of kigelia pinnata

The crude ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Kigelia pinnata was evaluated for its antioxidant, cytotoxic and antinociceptive activities. The antioxidant property of the ethanol extract of Kigelia pinnata was assessed by 1, l-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical scavenging assay. The extract showed potential antioxidant activity [IC[50] about 110 micro g/ml], which was comparable to standard drug ascorbic acid [IC [50] at about 3.16 micro g/ml]. Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay indicated its cytotoxic property [LC[50] 100 micro g/ml]. Moreover, it produced significant [P < 0.001] writhing inhibition in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively, which was comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium. The results tend to suggest the antioxidant, cytotoxic and antinociceptive activities of the crude ethanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata

Phytochemical and biological investigations of erythrina variegata

Five compounds were isolated from the n-hexane and chloroform soluble fractions of a methanol extract of the stem bark of Erythrina variegata. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated as alpinum isoflavone [1], epilupeol [2], 6-hydroxygenistein [3], 3beta 28-dihydroxyolean-12-ene [4] and stigmasterol [5] by extensive spectroscopic studies, including high field NMR analyses. Different partitionates of the methanol extract exhibited mild to moderate antimicrobial activity and varying degrees of cytotoxicity. Although, alpinum isoflavone [1] has previously been reported from E. variegata, this is the first report of isolation of compounds 2-4 and stigmasterol from this plant species

Thyroid disorders in Khulna district: a community based study.

This study reports the prevalence of thyroid diseases and their relationship to autoimmunity in a population of Khulna district where goitre is not endemic. A survey was performed among citizens of a union of Khulna district. The study population consisted of a random sample of the students of primary schools, secondary schools and people of nearby areas. History taking, neck examination for goitre and blood examination for thyroid hormones was done from each subject. Blood sample was measured for thyroid hormones and thyroid microsomal antibody (TMAb) using radioimmunoassay method. Of the total 925 individual studied, 527 was female and 398 was male with age ranges from 2-62 years (mean 19.86 +/- 13.62 years). The overall occurrence of thyroid disease was estimated to be 20.43%. The spectrum of thyroid disorders showed highest incidence of diffuse goitre (7.35%), followed by sub-clinical hypothyroidism (6.59%), hypothyroidism (4.97%), hyperthyroidism (0.86%) and sub-clinical hyperthyroidism (0.65%). The incidence of thyroid disorders was observed to be highest in the 11-45 years age group (79.89%). Female outnumbered male, the ratio being 2.5:1 with preponderance of female subjects in all disease groups. The prevalence of all goitre was 10.49%. TMAb estimation was performed in 318 samples, of them 48 cases (15.09%) was found to be autoimmune thyroid disease. Of the total sub-clinical and overt hypothyroidism, the incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease was 29.29% and non-goitrous thyroid dysfunction was more common than goitrous one. Three of 38 (7.89%) euthyroid goitrous subjects showed positive antibody. Interestingly, 16 of 181 (8.84%) individual had a positive antibody, which was considered normal by neck examination. Goitre prevalence of 10.49% in this study indicates the region to be a mild iodine deficient area. Chronic autoimmune disease is likely to be one of the etiological factors for thyroid disorders in this southern zone.

Anticonvulsant and sedative effect of ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica on albino mice

This research work has been designed to show the CNS neurotransmitter receptors activity especially anticonvulsant and sedative activity of ethanolic extracts of Centella asiatica on a number of pharmacological model in mice. Phenobarbitone and diazepam induced sleeping time model was used to demonstrate the sedative activity and the ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica significantly prolonged [p<0.00 1] phenobarbitone and diazepam induced sleeping time in mice as compared with the control suggesting possible interaction with GABA-BNZ receptors complex to mediate sedative action. According to Nikethamide induced convulsion model where tonic and clonic convulsion as well as mortality and morbidity rate was considered and the extracts of Centella asiatica were shown to be delayed the Nikethamide [300 mg/kg, i.p.] induced convulsion indicating a possible action involving GABA and glutamate receptors to mediate anti-convulsant effects. Therefore, this plant may have the potential in the treatment of various CNS disorders like anxiety, depression, insomnia and convulsion as well as this data can also be used in the development of novel psychopharmatherapeutic agents

study on hypervitaminosis: a in broiler chicken

The administration of various high levels of vitamin A over different time course periods showed no classical signs of toxicity in growing broiler chicks. Feeding different levels of vitamin A [200.000 and 400.000 IU/kg diet] was associated with an elevation of plasma level of the vitamin. However single doses of the vitamin [8.000 and 16.000 IU/bird/day] orally or intramuscularly were less effective in raising the plasma level of the vitamin. Liver content of vitamin A was higher than control through out the entire experimental period, even in the period where the vitamin was withdrawn from the ration. Regardless of the dose and route of administration of vitamin A, plasma B-carotene levels were markedly reduced in response to giving high levels of the vitamin. The pattern of plasma B-carotene level in control healthy chicks showed a marked reduction at the age of 26 days followed by a progressive rise afterward. Feeding vitamin A-supplemented diet to growing chicks for a prolonged period was associated with reductions in plasma cholesterol levels compared with control

Evaluation of maternal urinary estriol excretion as an index of foeto-placental function in toxaemia of pregnancy

This paper establishes the normal range and pattern of urinary oestriol excretion in Iraqi pregnant women and demonstrates the clinical usefulness of 24-hour urinary oestriol estimation in the assessment of foetoplacental function during pre -eclampsia of pregnancy. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, the levels of urinary oestriol was found to be significantly decreased in pre - eclampsia of pregnancy, especially in cases associated with foetal distress. Among various cut - off levels examined, the mean appeared to be the best discriminating cut - off level and should be useful for the routine screening of all pregnant women during the last trimester of pregnancy. In patients showing low urinary oestriol, higher degree of risk and having more guarded prognosis, the serial estimations of urinary oestriol appeared to be most useful in predicting the foetal status