Domestic violence against women with infertility attending gynaecological clinics in Northern Nigeria: A multi-centre study.

Background: Due to the high premium placed on childbearing, infertility puts a lot of stress on the family which may result in aggressive and irrational behaviour if not properly managed. Domestic violence (DV) against infertile women is a public health issue but under-reported especially in northern Nigeria. Objectives: This study sought to identify the prevalence, pattern, and response to DV. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at three tertiary health facilities; one in each of the geopolitical zones in northern Nigeria. Using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire; the prevalence, pattern, and response to DV were determined among 422 respondents who were attending the gynaecological clinics of the three health facilities. The data obtained was entered into SPSS version 22.0 and analysed. Results: The prevalence of DV among women with infertility in the previous year was 39.8% (167/422). Among the survivors, 92.8% (155/167), 35.3% (59/167), and 10.7% (18/167) had experienced psychological aggression, physical assault, and sexual violence, respectively. A significant number of respondents who reported DV were Christians (P = 0.01). Of them, 77 (46.1%) never discussed the issue with anyone, 72 (43.1%) informed their family, and 30 (18.0%) sought help from the husband's family. Conclusion: The prevalence of DV among women with infertility is high, psychological aggression is the most typical form of DV experienced while about half have never reported the incidence to anyone. Screening infertile women for DV during their visit to the gynecological clinics would be beneficial; those found to have experienced DV should be counselled and supported appropriately.

Poly-(ionic liquid) coated with magnetic nanoparticles for micro solid phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food samples.

Poly(methyl methacrylate-vinyl imidazole bromide) (poly-MMA-IL)-grafted magnetic nanoparticles were successfully developed and applied in the micro-magnetic solid phase extraction (µ-MSPE) for 16 types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from tea, fried food, and grilled food samples via gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). One variable at a time (OVAT) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used for efficient optimization. The validation method showed a good coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 0.9901 to 0.9982 (n = 3) with linearity of 0.2 µg L-1-500 µg L-1. Detection and quantification limits were 0.06 µg L-1-0.32 µg L-1 and 0.18 µg L-1-0.97 µg L-1. Additionally, satisfactory reproducibility was attained with intra-day and inter-day precisions having RSD ranges of 3.6%-11.1%. The spiked recovery value of 16 PAHs in fried food, grilled food and tea samples obtained from the night market in Malaysia ranged from 80%-12%, respectively.

Case Series of Pre-Operative Endovascular Embolization of Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma Using Polyvinyl Alcohol Foam Particle: A Single Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma is a rare neoplasm in the sphenopalatine foramen. This tumour is histologically benign, but clinically malignant because it can erode the bone and surrounding structures, such as the pterygopalatine fossa, paranasal sinuses, and nasal cavity. It is a highly vascular tumour, sometimes from multiple Feeding arteries, and tends to bleed easily. CASE PRESENTATION: In these cases, series, we reported four cases of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in children and one case in an elderly patient. The diagnosis was made by history taking, physical examination and Cerebral MSCT Angiography, as well as Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA). After identification of the Feeding artery, we performed transarterial embolisation using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam particles. CONCLUSION: Preoperative embolisation in the highly vascular tumour, such as nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, is very useful to reduce peri-operative complication of surgery. This procedure can reduce blood loss during resection of the tumour and gives better outcomes.

Effect of Diazepam on Proliferation of Chondrocytes in Intermediate and Deep Zones of Patellar Articular Cartilage in Adult Male Mice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of diazepam on proliferation of chondrocytes in intermediate and deep zones of degenerating patellar articular cartilage in Balb/c mice. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Anatomy, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Regional Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan, from June 2015 to May 2016. METHODOLOGY: There were two groups of adult male mice as control group A and experimental group B. Group A having 90 mice was further divided into three subgroups having 30 mice in each subgroups. In subgroup A1 having 30 mice were treated normally. Subgroup A2 mice were kept immobilised for 20 days. Mice in subgroup A3 were given normal saline intraperitoneally during next 30 days of remobilisation and sacrificed. Among the mice in group B, normal saline was replaced with diazepam at the dose of 4 mg/kg for 30 days. Control subgroups and experimental group were compared. Data was analysed quantitatively using SPSS Version 16. RESULTS: Significant decrease in mean thickness of combined zone (66.69 ± 2.77µm) and chondrocytes count (5.61±0.76) were seen in subgroup A2 mice than subgroup A1 (77.54 ± 3.4µm) and (5.61 ± 0.76), respectively (p<0.001). Subgroup A3 showed significantly increased mean thickness (95.45 ± 5.17µm) and chondrocytes count (7.31 ± 0.44) than subgroup A2 (P<0.001). No significant increase in mean thickness (96.46 ± 4.94µm) and chondrocytes count (7.35 ± 0.41) of group B were seen than subgroup A3 (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Diazepam administration does not stimulate proliferation of chondrocytes of combined intermediate and deep zones of degenerating articular cartilage by acting on GABA A receptors.

Epidemiology and immunodiagnostics of Strongyloides stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia

To investigate the status of Strongyloides(S.) stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia for the first time and identify risk factors. Methods: Four diagnostic methods were employed for the detection of S. stercoralis including microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercial kit, ELISA using the rSs1a antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Low and semi-skilled workers from five working sectors (i.e. manufacturing, food service, agriculture and plantation, construction and domestic service) were tested on a voluntary basis. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis from 483 workers employing the ELISA commercial kit for IgG was 35.8% (n=173; 95% CI: 31.5%-40.1%) whereas seroprevalence using the rSs1a-ELISA was 13.0% (n=63; 95% CI: 10.0%-16.0%). Cross tabulation between the ELISA commercial kit and rSs1a-ELISA showed that only 6.4% (n=31; 95% CI: 4.2%-8.6%) of the samples were positive in both tests. Microscopic examination of all 388 fecal samples were negative; however subsequent testing by a nested PCR against DNA from the same samples successfully amplified DNA from three male subjects (0.8%; 3/388). Male workers, India and Myanmar nationality, food service occupation and those living in the hostel were statistically significant with seroprevalence (P<0.005). Conclusion: This is the first report on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis infections among the migrant workers in Malaysia. Our results highlight the importance of using appropriate diagnostic tools for detection. The presence of anti-S. stercoralis antibodies in the study population calls for improvements in personal hygiene and sanitation standards among migrant workers in Malaysia through control strategies including health education campaigns and programs aimed at increasing awareness and healthy behaviors.

Quantitative Analysis of the Area of the Apical Ectodermal Ridge in Chick Appendages Using Image-J.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of sodium phenytoin on the apical ectodermal ridges (AER) of chick wing buds by using the software program Image-J. STUDY DESIGN: An experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Anatomy, Regional Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), Islamabad, from January 2014 to January 2015. METHODOLOGY: Sixty fertilised chicken eggs of 'Egyptian fayoumi' breed were selected and separated into experimental (B) and control (A) groups, each having 30 eggs. A single dose of 3.5 mg sodium phenytoin was injected into each egg of the experimental group. The controls were injected with the same volume of normal saline. Developing embryos were extracted 96 hours (day 4) after incubation and histological sections were cut at 5 µm thickness. These sections were stained with Feulgen Nuclear and Light Green. The area of apical ectodermal ridges of chick wing buds was calculated by employing Image-J and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The difference between the mean values of the area of apical ectodermal ridges of experimental and control groups, as calculated by Image-J, was found to be statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Change in the area of the apical ectodermal ridges in experimental chicks, following phenytoin exposure, was insignificant as proven on the basis of quantification by Image-J.

Quantitative volumetric analysis of a retinoic acid induced hypoplastic model of chick thymus, using Image-J.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the total volume change in a retinoic acid-induced, hypoplastic model of a chick thymus using Image-J. METHODS: This experimental study was carried out at the anatomy department of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Islamabad, Pakistan, from February 2009 to February 2010, and comprised fertilised chicken eggs. The eggs were divided into experimental group A and control group C. Group A was injected with 0.3µg of retinoic acid via yolk sac to induce a defective model of a thymus with hypoplasia. The chicks were sacrificed on embryonic day 15 and at hatching. The thymus of each animal was processed, serially sectioned and stained. The total area of each section of thymus was calculated using Image-J. This total area was summed and multiplied with the thickness of each section to obtain volume. RESULTS: Of the 120 eggs, there were 60(50%) in each group. Image analysis revealed a highly significant decrease in the volume of the chick thymus in the experimental group A than its matched control at the time of hatching (p=0.001). Moreover, volumetric depletion progressed with time, being substantially pronounced at hatching compared to the embryonic stage. CONCLUSIONS: The volume changes were significant and were effectively quantified using Image-J.

Effect of administration of glucose on body length and body weight of the chick embryos.

Objective: To assess the effect of glucose on body length and body weight of chick embryos. Methods: This experimental study was carried out at the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Islamabad, from January 2013 to January 2014, and comprised chicken eggs. Fertilised eggs of Egyptian Fayyumi breed were injected with glucose (5% weight/volume solution) into egg albumen. The eggs were put in the incubator under standard conditions of temperature and humidity. Eggs were divided in two groups; control group A and experimental group B. Each group was subdivided in three subgroups. Eggs were opened on day 12 (A1, B1), day 15(A2, B2), and day 18(A3, B3) of incubation and the dissected-out embryos were compared with age-matched control subgroups. Effects of glucose were assessed by measuring the body weight and body length of embryos. Results: Of the 180 eggs, there were 30(16.67%) in each of the 6 subgroups. The mean body length was 6.527±0.086cm in A1 and 5.287±0.035 in B1 (p=0.001); 9.560±0.095 in A2 and 9.237±0.114 in B2 (p=0.033); and 13.919±0.093 in A3 and 16.117±0.103 in B3 (p=0.000). Similarly, the mean body weight was 4.374±0.071 in A1 and 3.676±0.007 in B1 (p=0.001); 10.814±0.214 in A2 and 11.009±0.339 in B2 (p=0.619); and 18.142±0.123 in A3 and 22.87±0.067 in B3 (p=0.000).. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of glucose resulted in initial growth retardation of developing embryos but later on there was significant growth acceleration as the age advanced.

The effect of ethanol vapour exposure on atrial and ventricular walls of chick embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of ethanol vapour exposure on atrial and ventricular walls of heart in chick embryo. METHODS: The study design was experimental, conducted at Islamabad Centre of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan. One hundred and eighty chicken eggs were divided into two groups, experimental and control, of 90 eggs each. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups of 30 eggs each based on the day of sacrifice. Experimental group was exposed to ethanol vapours and then compared with age matched controls. RESULTS: The thickness of atrial and ventricular walls along with lengths of valvular cusps increased in hearts of day 7 and day 10 chick embryos in experimental group. There was thinning of walls and decreased length of valvular cusps in hearts of experimental chicks on hatching as compared to age matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol vapour exposure during development causes cardiac and septal wall thickening during initial days of development followed by cardiac and septal wall thinning which is a classical picture of alcohol induced cardiomyopathies.

Does folinic acid ameliorates retinoic acid induced teratogenicity in chick embryo?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of folinic acid on the hatching ability and developmental defects in a retinoic acid-induced teratogenic model of chick embryo. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Regional Centre of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Islamabad, from February 2009 to February 2010. Chicken eggs were divided into two experimental groups and a control group. The first experimental group was injected with retinoic acid to induce a defective model, while the second experimental group was concomitantly injected folinic acid to observe its protective effects on retinoic acid-induced defects in the development and hatching process. Both groups were compared with the age-matched control group. RESULTS: A total of 90 fertilised eggs were divided into three groups. The experimental groups had significantly more delayed and assisted hatchings compared to the control group (p<0.05) but the difference between the experimental groups regarding the mode and day of hatching was insignificant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of the presence of folinic acid, prenatal retinoic acid exposure significantly altered the hatchability characteristics in the experimental groups compared to the control.

Atrial and ventricular septal changes in ethanol vapour exposed chick embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of ethanol vapour exposure on development of atrial and ventricular septa of chick embryo. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Islamabad, from 2006 to 2007. The experimental and control groups were further divided into three subgroups based on the day of sacrifice. The experimental group was exposed to ethanol vapours produced in a specially-designed vapour chamber and then compared with age-matched controls. RESULTS: There were 90 eggs in each of the two groups. The development of inter-ventricular septum completed at day 7 of development in chick embryo. Ethanol vapour exposure produced a small discontinuity at day 10 of development in a chick embryo which may be labelled as ventricular septal defect since ventricular development is completed by day 7. Interatrial septum formed till day 7 with small perforations which persisted till hatching. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol vapour exposure may lead to ventricular septal defect.

Role of oxidative injury in affecting the foetal & placental weights on exposure to tobacco smoke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of oxidative injury in affecting foetal and placental weights in mice by exposing them to tobacco smoke with or without supplementation with antioxidants. METHODS: The randomized control trial of pregnant mice at day one of gestation was conducted at Anatomy Department CPSP Regional Center Islamabad, from March 2005 to October 2005. The mice were divided into three groups: Group C had controls, while the two other groups, groups S and SV were exposed to secondary tobacco smoke in a whole body exposure chamber with and without supplementation with vitamins respectively. At term, the animals were sacrificed and the placentae and foetuses were weighed. The average values were calculated. The means for each group were analysed and the foetal placental ratio was calculated. SPSS 17 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 44 mice; 15(34%) each in S and SV groups, while Group C had 14(32%) mice who acted as the controls. The mean foetal weight in Group S was 0.65±0.52g which was significantly less (p<0.0001) than1.48±0.19g in Group C. The mean foetal weight in Group SV was 0.97±0.65g which was not significantly different from S (p=0.124). The mean placental weight in Group S was 0.16±0.02g which was significantly less than 0.21±0.05gin Group C (p=0.014). In Group SV it was significantly more than Group S (p<0.0001). The ratio of mean foetal and mean placental weights in the groups C, S and SV were 7.05, 3.92 and4.41 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke decreased the mean foetal and placental weights and the foetal-placental ratio. This may partly be attributed to oxidative injury induced by free radicals in the tobacco smoke as it is prevented to some extent by simultaneous administration of antioxidants.

The usefulness of semi-solid medium in the isolation of highly virulent Leptospira strains from wild rats in an urban area of Fukuoka, Japan.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis. The importance of urban leptospirosis is recognized in Japan: urban rats carry pathogenic leptospires and people acquire these pathogens through contact with surface water or soil contaminated by the urine of the infected animals. To determine the current Leptospira carriage rate in urban rats, 29 wild rats were trapped in the central area of Fukuoka and strains isolated from their kidneys and urine analyzed. When semi-solid Korthof's medium containing 0.1% agar was used for isolation, 72.2% and 30.8% of the kidney and urine cultures, respectively, were found to be Leptospira-positive. The isolates belonged to Leptospira interrogans, and were classified into two groups (serogroups Pomona and Icterohaemorrhagiae) based on the results of gyrB sequence analysis and microscopic agglutination testing (MAT). Strains belonging to serogroup Icterohemorrhagiae grew well in liquid medium. On the other hand, serogroup Pomona isolates multiplied very little in liquid medium, but did grow in a semi-solid medium. Although strains belonging to serogroup Pomona have not been recognized as native to Japan, this strain may be widely distributed in urban rats. Representative strains from each group were found to be highly pathogenic to hamsters. Our findings should serve as a warning that it is still possible to become infected with leptospires from wild rats living in inner cities of Japan. Furthermore, the use of semi-solid medium for culture will improve the isolation rate of leptospires from the kidneys of wild rats.

The effect of prenatal administration of valproic acid on the survivability and day of hatching of chick embryo.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of prenatal administration of valproic acid on the survivability and day of hatching of chick embryo in comparison with age-matched controls. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Regional Centre of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Islamabad, from February 2010 to February 2011. Fertilised chicken eggs were divided into two groups, labelled as experimental group-A and control group-B. Group-A eggs were injected with valproic acid, incubated and hatched. Group-B eggs underwent sham treatment using normal saline. The fully hatched chicks were then evaluated for the day of hatching and survivability, on hatching or on day 22 of incubation whichever was earlier. Outcome was statistically compared with the controls using SPSS 10. RESULTS: The two groups had 30 eggs each. In Group-A 23 (76.66%) chicks hatched out, while there were 7 (23.33%) dead chicks. In Group-B, 28 (93.33%) chicks hatched out and 2 (6.66%) were dead. Chicken embryos exposed to valproic acid in ovo showed increased mortality (p < 0.001) and delayed hatching (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prenatal exposure of chick embryos to valproic acid decreased embryo survival and also delayed hatching compared to age-matched controls.

Characterization of Leptospira infection in suckling and weaning rat pups.

Rats are known to be the most important reservoirs of Leptospira spp. However, the leptospiral dose and age at which rats become resistant to Leptospira infection are not yet well elucidated. Aimed to characterize leptospirosis in rat pups, we found that suckling pups (4-, 7-, and 14-day old) are susceptible to leptospires and resistance starts from the weaning age (23-day old). Susceptibility of rat pups was also affected by the infecting dose of the organisms. Jaundice, decrease in body weight, and neurological symptoms prior to moribundity was evident in infected suckling pups. However, 23-day-old infected pups did not manifest any pathological changes and were able to survive the infection similar to adult rats. Based on these results, we propose the suckling rat pup as a novel animal model of human leptospirosis to investigate pathogenesis, development of host resistance, and the mechanisms involved in rats becoming maintenance hosts for leptospires.

Quantitative analysis of macrophages in wound healing of rat skin subjected to loud noise stress.

BACKGROUND: Factors affecting skin wound healing have always been a central consideration in medical practice. Loud noise is biological stressor affecting the body systems at various levels. The present study was taken to study the effect of loud noise stress on the macrophages during wound healing process in male rat skin. METHOD: One hundred and eighty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group-A and experimental group-B. Each group comprised 90 animals. Control and experimental groups were further subdivided into three subgroups of 30 animals each, corresponding to the day of sacrifice of animals, i.e., day 3, 5 and 7 after surgery. After induction of local anaesthesia a linear full thickness incision paravertebral to thoracic spine was made on the dorsum of rat. The experimental group B was exposed to loud noise stimulus (recorded noise of aero planes and gun fire) set at 97dBA to 102 dBA with a sound level meter. The animals were decapitated on day 3, 5 and 7 after surgery. Tissue was processed for paraffin embedding and stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin and Mallory's trichrome stain. Data was collected for the incisional space of the wound. Quantitative data of number of macrophages was analysed by Student's' test for the detection of any significant differences between the mean number in the experimental and control groups. All the quantitative data was expressed as means ± SE. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study macrophages were decreased statistically significantly at day 3 after surgery and thereafter increased significantly on day 5 and 7 after surgery in the experimental subgroups as compared to their match control subgroups. CONCLUSION: These results show that loud noise stress affects the cells (macrophages) involved in the healing of the wound therefore it is expected to have impact on the stages of wound healing.

Wound healing in rat skin subjected to loud noise stress; a light microscopic study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of loud noise stress on wound healing in a skin tissue. METHODS: The randomised control trial was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan Regional Centre, Islamabad, from September 2007 to September 2008. The study comprised 240 male Sprague Dawley rats who were randomised into control group A and experimental group B. Each group comprised 120 animals. Main groups were further subdivided into four subgroups of 30 animals each. After induction of local anaesthesia a linear full thickness skin incision paravertebral to thoracic spine was made. The experimental group B was exposed to loud noise stimulus. The animals were decapitated 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after surgery. Histological data was collected in the incisional space of the wound. Polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts and blood vessels, were analysed quantitatively, whereas re-epithelialisation and content of collagen fibres in the incisional space were analysed qualitatively. RESULTS: Macrophages were decreased initially 3 days after surgery and were increased 5 and 7 days after surgery in the experimental subgroups. Similarly, blood vessels and fibroblast were significantly decreased in experimental subgroups 3 days after surgery, but were increased significantly in experimental subgroups 7 days after surgery. Nothing significant was found regarding re-epithlialisation and collagenisation of wound. CONCLUSION: Loud noise stress affects the important cells involved in the healing of the wound. Therefore, it is expected to have an impact on the stages of wound healing.

Proposal for effective treatment of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection in mice.

Previously, we reported that minocycline, kanamycin and norfloxacin improved the survival rate in the E32511 model that we developed (FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol 26, 101-108, 1999), but fosfomycin did not. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of azithromycin (AZM) against Stx2d-producing EHEC O91:H21 strain B2F1 or Stx2c-producing Escherichia coli strain E32511 treated with mitomycin C in vivo. Recently, we reported the effectiveness of AZM in our model and AZM strongly inhibited the release of Stx2c from E32511 in vitro (PLOS ONE e58959, 2013). However, it was very difficult to completely eliminate E32511 in the mouse feces by treatment with AZM alone. In this report, only AZM or Daio effectively promoted survival of mice infected with B2F1 compared to untreated mice. Furthermore, Daio inhibited the colonization of GFP-expressing B2F1 in the mouse intestine. Similarly, a combination of AZM and Daio in the E32511-infected mice reduced E32511 in the mouse feces and significantly improved survival.

Investigation of encephalopathy caused by Shiga toxin 2c-producing Escherichia coli infection in mice.

A large outbreak of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) O104:H4 occurred in northern Germany. From this outbreak, at least 900 patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), resulting in more than 50 deaths. Thirty percent of the HUS patients showed encephalopathy. We previously established a mouse model with encephalopathy associated with blood brain barrier (BBB) damage after oral infection with the Shiga toxin (Stx) 2c-producing Escherichia coli O157: H- strain E32511 (E32511). In this model, we detected high expression of the Stx receptor synthase enzyme, glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) synthase, in endothelial cells (ECs) and neurons in the reticular formation of the medulla oblongata by in situ hybridization. Caspase-3 was activated in neurons in the reticular formation of the medulla oblongata and the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Astrocytes (ASTs) were activated in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord, and a decrease in aquaporin 4 around the ECs suggested that BBB integrity was compromised directly by Stx2c or through the activation of ASTs. We also report the effectiveness of azithromycin (AZM) in our model. Moreover, AZM strongly inhibited the release of Stx2c from E32511 in vitro.

Ethanol vapour induced dilated cardiomyopathy in chick embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of ethanol vapour inhalation on the heart chambers of chick embryo. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan regional centre in Islamabad from January to October 2007. Both experimental and control groups were divided into three subgroups each, based on the day of the sacrifice. Each group was dissected on day 7, day 10 and day 22 or hatching whichever was earlier. The experimental sub-groups sacrificed on day 7, day 10 and on hatching, were exposed to ethanol vapours till day 6, 9 and 9 of incubation respectively. The diameter of all 4 chambers was measured in experimental hearts and compared with age-matched controls. SPSS 10 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Ethanol vapour exposure caused widening of all heart chambers in the experimental chick embryos sacrifised on day 7 and day 10 compared to the controls. The chambers of newly hatched chick hearts showed dilatation in all the chambers except the left ventricle. CONCLUSION: Ethanol vapour exposure during development affects the heart, resulting in the widening of all heart chambers.The exposure is as dangerous as drinking alcohol. Alcohol vapour exposure during development leads to progressive dilatation in different heart chambers, producing dilated cardiomyopathy.