Juvenile syndecan-1 null mice are protected from carcinogen-induced tumor development.

We previously showed that mice with a null mutation in syndecan-1 (Sdc1; CD138) were resistant to Wnt1-induced mammary tumor initiation. The absence of Sdc1 inhibited the increase in the mammary stem cell fraction that is characteristic of preneoplasia in this model. As the tumor precursor cells are recruited from the stem/progenitor cell compartment, tumor development was also inhibited (Liu et al., 2004; PNAS 101, 4158). Although Sdc1-/- mice are grossly normal, they are systemically smaller, suggesting that developmental abnormalities may extend further than their mammary glands. We have therefore evaluated the multi-organ response of Sdc1-/- mice to carcinogen-induced tumor development (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, DMBA), and find these mice to be resistant to tumorigenesis in all the predominant carcinogen-susceptible lineages. Thus, Sdc1-/- mice administered DMBA during juvenile development are resistant not only to epithelial tumors, including liver (60-80%) and lung tumors (C57BL6 mice, 60-80%), but also to lymphoma (over 70%, depending upon strain and carcinogen dose). We demonstrate that CD138 is expressed (heterogeneously) in the hematopoietic stem cell fraction (and not only in pre-B and plasma cells), and that tumors arise in both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Furthermore, carcinogen-induced mammary tumors are bilineal, implying a bipotent precursor cell. Both observations imply that the DMBA-induced tumor precursor cells are drawn from the stem/progenitor fraction, and we suggest that pathogenic activation of these cells could be abnormal in Sdc1-/- mice.

Correlation between Barr bodies and neutrophil drumsticks.

There is a marked difference between the frequencies of neutrophil nuclear drumsticks and mucosal cell Barr bodies in any given woman despite the fact that both represent an inactivated X chromosome. We present results of a prospective study carried out on 100 normal Saudi females to assess the statistical correlation between these two variables. We conclude that each is independent of the other. The lack of statistical correlation perhaps relates to maturational and nuclear configuration factors.

Screening for gestational diabetes in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia.

This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and severity of gestational diabetes in our hospital population which is predominantly Arab; 455 consecutive patients were screened by a 3-hour glucose tolerance test in the third trimester of pregnancy. The overall incidence of gestational diabetes was found to be 11% and the incidence increased with increasing maternal age, parity and weight. A high prevalence of more severe degrees of gestational diabetes was noted among the Arabs. Glucose intolerance was observed in 2 patients in the absence of any risk factor. The most common high risk factor in patients found to have gestational diabetes was maternal age of 30 years or more.

The low birth-weight infants of Saudi adolescents: maternal implications.

Maternal factors and perinatal outcome of low birth-weight (less than or equal to 2,500 g) infants of 46 adolescent mothers was studied and compared with 160 adolescents who delivered infants weighing greater than 2,500 g. The significant factors found in the low birth-weight group were anaemia, small maternal physique and preterm delivery. Expectedly, the perinatal mortality rate was significantly increased in low birth-weight infants.

PIP: From 1981-1985, researchers studies pregnancy outcomes of 206 female adolescents (= or 17 years old at the time of 1st hospital visit) at King Fahd Hospital in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. 23% of all infants born to adolescents were classified as low birth weight (= or 2500g). 17.4% of these mothers were 15 years old or younger, 39.1% were 16, and 43.5% were 17. For mothers who delivered an infant 2500g, 17.5% were 15, 26.9% were 16, and 55.6% were 17. Mothers who had low birth weight infants (mean weight 53.48k) tended to weigh less at time of delivery than those who had infants 2500g (61.89kg; p.005). Further, the stature of 31.1% of those in the low birth weight group was 150cm whereas only 13.5% of the remaining mothers were 150cm. 64% of mothers who had low birth weight infants delivered before 37 weeks gestation (p.005). Anemia (Hb10.6g/dl) was the most significant complication contributing to low birth weight (38.6%; p.005). This suggests that many adolescent mothers did not take iron and vitamin supplements and that they did not take iron and vitamin supplements and that they did not eat adequately during pregnancy. Even though toxemia also contributed significantly to low birth weight (9%; p.05), its overall prevalence was markedly low (1.9% in 2500g group). The mode of delivery did not affect birth weight. Perinatal mortality for low birth weight infants stood at 14.6%. None of the .2500g infants died. All adolescent mothers should receive early prenatal care. In addition, more health education of health professionals and adolescents is needed to stress the importance of regular prenatal care, liberal hospitalization, intensive antepartum and intrapartum fetal monitoring.

Parity, related sociodemographic factors and contraceptive use in Saudi Arabia.

"Parity and associated sociodemographic factors were studied in 1,250 Saudi female patients. 23.8 per cent of the study group were para 3 or more and a significant relationship between high parity and low education background of the couple was observed. The use of contraception was significantly more in educated and economically healthy multiparous women simply for the reason of spacing the pregnancies."

The oversized infant. A study of 86 cases.

The maternal factors and perinatal and neonatal outcome of 86 oversized infants (birthweight 4,500g and above) were studied. 11.6% of mothers were diabetics while 34.5% demonstrated a hyperglycaemic glucose tolerance test. A comparison of the maternal variables and perinatal and neonatal morbidity was made between the diabetic and nondiabetic group. No significant difference in maternal age greater than or equal to 30 years, parity and obesity was observed in the 2 groups. Perinatal and neonatal complications were noted to be high in the study population but no significant difference in the 2 groups was noted except for a higher prevalence of hypoglycaemia in the infants born to the diabetic mothers. Oversized infants caused a high risk obstetric and paediatric situation independent of the diabetic status of the mother.

Obstetric implications of pregnancy in adolescence.

Pregnancy in adolescence constitutes a high-risk obstetric situation and there is an obvious need for improvement in obstetric care for this age group. A retrospective study of 94 mothers, 17 years of age and under, was carried out at the Teaching Hospital of King Faisal University in order to assess the obstetric implications of adolescent pregnancy. This study has shown a significant increase in the incidence of low birth weight infants, breech presentation and preterm delivery. A significantly smaller number of adolescent mothers were found to have given birth spontaneously, vaginally. Adolescent primigravidas were noted to run a greater risk. It is imperative to institute a medical and educational service with comprehensive prenatal care for adolescent mothers in order to improve the outcome of their pregnancies.