Genetic, chromosomal, and syndromic causes of neural tube defects

To ascertain the incidence, and describe the various forms of neural tube defects [NTDs] due to genetic, chromosomal, and syndromic causes. We carried out a retrospective analysis of data retrieved from the medical records of newborn infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with NTDs and their mothers spanning 14 years [1996-2009] at the Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The cases were ascertained by a perinatologist, neonatologist, geneticist, radiologist, and neurologist. The literature was reviewed via a MEDLINE search. Only liveborn babies were included. Permission from the Educational Committee at the Security Forces Hospital was obtained prior to the collection of data. Out of 103 infants with NTDs admitted during this period, 20 [19.4%] were found to have an underlying genetic syndromic, chromosomal and/or other anomalies. There were 5 cases of Meckel-Gruber syndrome, 2 Joubert syndrome, one Waardenburg syndrome, one Walker-Warburg syndrome, 2 chromosomal disorders, 2 caudal regression, one amniotic band disruption sequence, one associated with omphalocele, one with diaphragmatic hernia, and 4 with multiple congenital anomalies. There is a high rate of underlying genetic syndromic and/or chromosomal causes of NTDs in the Saudi Arabian population due to the high consanguinity rate. Identification of such association can lead to more accurate provisions of genetic counseling to the family including preimplantation genetic diagnosis or early termination of pregnancies associated with lethal conditions.

An investigation on heavy metals bio-sorption by azolla filiculoides in the international anzali wetland

The ultrasound assisted emulsification microextraction [USAEME] method followed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry [ICP-AES] was used for preconcentration and determination of bismuth [Bi], indium [In] and lead [Pb] hi the plant Azolla filiculoides Lam. Calix [4] pyrrole was used as a chelating agent and tetrachloroethylene was selected as extraction solvent. The main parameters of the USAEME method were optimized by using response surface methodology [RSM]. The optimal conditions were as follows: 130 microL for volume of extraction solvent, 4 min for sonication time, 6.75 [w/v%] for salt concentration, 890 mg/L for concentration of chelating agent and 7.5 for pH. The calibtaUou gxa

Measurement of chloroform in swimming pools' waters and swimmers' blood

A new microextraction method named dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction [DLLME] for determination of chloroform in pool water and blood of swimmers after swimming is described. This method was performed based on coupling dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction [DLLME] with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS]. Methanol and trichloroethylenes were used as the disperser solvent and the extraction solvents, respectively. The volumes of these solvents were optimized for pool water by central composite design. The study involved three indoor swimming pools and nine swimmers. Chloroform concentration of pool water was 118-135 micro g L[-1] and of blood ranged from 1.26 to 1.66 micro g L[-1]. Indoor swimming pools are closed environments presenting detectable levels of trihalomethanes [THMs]. Chloroform [CHCl3] is the most represented THMs. Therefore, the presence of CHCl3 may be considered representative of the THMs. The new method DLLME was applied for determination of CHCl3 in pool water and blood of swimmers after swimming inside the indoor swimming pool. The method was optimized by experimental design. Chloroform concentrations in the specified pool waters were 135, 124, 118 micro g L[-1]

[Knowledge, attitude and practice of elderly towards lifestyle during aging]

This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the healthy lifestyle of 750 elderly people of Tehran 2002. The mean score of the males was significantly higher than in females. Furthermore, the average score of elderly membership in social activities was our findings revealed that the elderly have a low level of knowledge, attitude and performance towards healthy lifestyle. Thus, it seems designing a comprehensive program regarding a healthy lifestyle in this population to be of prime necessity

[Effects of normal saline subcutaneous injection in low back labor pain]

Most of women have described labor experience painful. Although there are many ways for reduction of labor pain, pharmacological ways are unsuitable because of their side effects on the respiratory system of newborns and mothers. Therefore, scientists have focused on non-pharmacological ways for reducing pain, nowadays. These methods are different and this verity shows a fact, that the perception of pain is not identical among people. Gate theory advocates this believe that there are many factors on pain perception such as age, sex, anxiety, and pain experience. Therefore, it is necessary that we know variety of pain-relief methods. This study was carried out based on Gate theory. This survey was a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Informed-consent forms were given to the mothers. Sampling Method was based on simple non-randomized and the number of sample was 146. They are divided into two equal groups, test and control. Data collection was carried out using questionnaire. Following determination of four injection site at the sacrum area, mothers in the test group were injected 0.1 ml of normal saline at these sites. While, mothers in the control group were received only blank injections. Then, the rate of pain was estimated in both groups using VAS at 10, 30, 45 and 90 minutes post-injection. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS and Stata software using generalized estimation equation and Chi-square test. No significant differences were observed in pain mean between test and control group at the above measured post-injection time points. The results showed that injection of normal saline has no influence on low back pain. Given these results, it is recommended that a single particular method has no impact on the reduction of pain, and therefore, a combination of alternative methods must be considered