Study of antibacterial activity in the local Iraqi propolis

Objective: This study includes the investigation of antibacterial activity of the local propolis against four types of bacteria isolated from patients

Methods: Bacteria were tested including Psedomonas sp, Streptococcus sp, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Six concentrations [0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25] mg/ml of propolis extracts were tested against bacteria

Results: Results revealed the presence of significant difference [P < 0.05] in the effect of propolis extract against the four types of bacteria in this study. Psedomonas sp. was the most sensitive among the others toward the propolis extract followed by Streptococcus sp., E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus at a rate of inhibition zones [14.09, 10.39, 8.78 and 8.39] mm, respectively. Results of this study also showed increasing rate of inhibition zone if the concentration of propolis extract was increased

Conclusion: This study provided that local propolis has antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria

Comparison of gender performance on an intelligence test among medical students

Since the Government of Pakistan abolished the gender based system of admission to medical colleges, all colleges have seen a huge influx of female medical students, reaching up to 70-80% of all students in some colleges. This trend is still persisting about 15 years after the decision. The objectives of the current study were to assess if there is any significant difference between male and female medical students in scores on a structured, standard, robust test of intellectual ability. Exact venue of the research is withheld for confidentiality. The study was carried out in 2003-2005. A cross-sectional, comparative study with sample size of 150 students, 75 male and 75 female students. Participants signed a consent form, were assessed on Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices [SPM], and data was analysed using SPSS-12. On the SPM test, the male students as a group, scored higher than the female students as a group, the difference was small but statistically significant [p=0.015]. Performance on the SPM inclines in favour of the male gender group. More research needs to be carried out into the other possible factors that could explain the gender disparity in medical colleges in Pakistan

Prevalence of missed hyperglycaemia among Jordan University Hospital mortality discharges, 1995-97

To study the prevalence of recognized and unrecognized hyperglycaemia [defined as fasting blood glucose >/= 140 mg/dL and/or random blood glucose >/= 200 mg/dL on two or more occasions], data were collected from Jordan University Hospital on all hospital deaths in those >/= 20 years of age, for the years 1995-97. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 35.3% and 19.2% were missed cases of hyperglycaemia; of the missed cases, 65.7% had a blood glucose level > 250 mg/dL. Thus, the prevalence of missed hyperglycaemia among hospitalized patients is high, and greater vigilance needs to be exercised by physicians and other health professionals in reviewing laboratory results, especially those related to diabetes