Digital Commons Network^™

Exhaled Nitric Oxide. An Emerging Marker Of Inflammation In Respiratory Diseases, Syed S. Habib

Saudi Medical Journal

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a recently introduced non invasive marker to measure inflammation and oxidative stress in the lung. The numerous roles of NO in respiratory pathophysiology have been extensively reviewed. There is contradictory evidence regarding the exact function of NO in lung diseases. In pathological states, the enzyme inducible NO synthase generates extraordinarily high concentrations of NO when the body faces an inflammatory response by attracting macrophages that generate NO and hence NO participate in host defense against specific organisms. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurements have been useful in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and …

Prescribing Safety In Primary Care. Comparing The United Kingdom And Saudi Arabia, Haya S. Zedan, Anthony J. Avery

Saudi Medical Journal

Most consultations in primary care end with a prescription for medication. As a result, the potential for error in prescriptions and the potential harm to patients must be carefully considered and action taken to increase the safety of patients in these situations. Policy makers and health professionals have an obligation to protect public health. This review aims to compare and critically assess the main policies, initiatives, and guidance that have been developed to improve the safety of prescribing in primary care in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. The report also suggests particular areas of need that might be addressed …

Association And Preferential Transmission Of The Ccr2v64i Polymorphism With Absence Of Asthma In High-Risk Families, Saleh A. Al-Abdulhadi, Mohammed W. Al-Rabia

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To explore a possible association between the major functional CCR2V64I polymorphism and asthma and related phenotypes independent of atopy. METHODS: We conducted this study in the Royal Aberdeen Children9s Hospital, University of Aberdeen Medical School, United Kingdom from September 2004 to December 2006. One hundred and fifty-four unrelated nuclear families (598 individuals including children and parents) were identified from the local Grampian population. The major functional polymorphism CCR2V64I was analyzed for associations with asthma, lung function (forced expiratory volume% [FEV1%] of predicted), bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine, total serum-immunoglobulin E (s-IgE) and allergic sensitization (positive skin prick test to …

A Comparison Of Intra Cuff Pressures In High-Flow And Low-Flow Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia, Aysun Postaci, Isil Karabeyoglu, Gulcan Erk, Taner Ayerden, Handan Sastim, Semiha Barcin, Bayazit Dikmen

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate intra cuff pressure changes in low-flow anesthesia (LFA) and high-flow (HFA) N2O anesthesia during moderate-duration surgical procedures. METHODS: We carried out this prospective, randomized, single blind study at Numune Educational and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between January to December 2005. Seventy patients aged between 18-65 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status grades I-III, undergoing elective surgery were enrolled in this study. Following a standardized induction, anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane (end-tidal 0.9-1%) at 4 L/minute for the HFA group, or 1 L/minute for the LFA group fresh gas flows. Endotracheal tube cuff (intra cuff) pressures …

In Vitro Testing Of Daptomycin Plus Rifampin Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Resistant To Rifampin, Faisal A. Khasawneh, Deborah S. Ashcraft, George A. Pankey

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To test for synergy between daptomycin (DAP) and rifampin (RIF) against RIF-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates. METHODS: Synergy testing using time-kill assay (TKA) was performed on 6 clinically, and genetically unique RIF-resistant MRSA isolates. The isolates were identified out of 489 (1.2%) samples collected during April 2003 to August 2006, from patients at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America. RESULTS: Synergy testing of DAP plus RIF by TKA showed that 5 isolates were indifferent, but one isolate was antagonistic. CONCLUSION: Our in vitro study failed to demonstrate synergy between DAP plus RIF, …

Low-Dose Chemotherapy For Extra-Abdominal Desmoid Tumor, Mohammed L. Al-Otaibi, Robert E. Turcotte, Ingrid Hings, Julie Beaudet, Marc Isler, Ayoub Nahal, Cindy Wong

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of patients with extra-abdominal desmoid tumor treated with low dose chemotherapy (methotrexate and vinblastine) both for tumor response and treatment related toxicity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 12 patients who underwent low dose chemotherapy for extra abdominal desmoid of different locations. The study took place in the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada between 1996 and 2003. We evaluated the patients for their compliance, tumor response, complications of treatment, and impact of treatment on symptoms. There were 7 females and 5 males with a mean age of 46 years. RESULTS: Disease related morbidity …

Treatment And Prognosis Of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Five Year Multi-Center Study, Reza Khodabakhshi, Seyed H. Yahyazadeh-Jabbari, Mahmod R. Gohari, Javad Shahidi, Ahmad Ameri

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To study the response rate for common chemotherapy regimens, and the progression free survival analysis in ovarian cancer in Tehran. METHODS: Ninety-eight women with confirmed ovarian cancer who had surgery, followed by chemotherapy at the 3 hospitals in (Fayazbakhsh, Shohadayee Tajrish, and Imam-Hossein), Tehran, Iran, between 1997 and 2003 were enrolled in this retrospective descriptive study. Data regarding age, pathologic variations, surgical procedures, chemotherapy regimens, response rates, and time to progression of the disease were collected. Response rate was evaluated for 51 patients with epithelial cancer. RESULTS: From a total of 98 patients, there were 81 (82.6%) epithelial, 12 …

Medical Abortion At First Trimester Of Pregnancy With Misoprostol, Sedigheh Ayati, Fatemeh V. Roudsari, Naiereh Khadem, Mohamad T Shakeri

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of medical abortion at first trimester of pregnancy with vaginal misoprostol. METHODS: This is a descriptive analytic study. It was performed on 100 women at first trimester of pregnancy referred to teaching hospitals related to the Medical Sciences of Mashhad University, Mashhad, Iran for termination of pregnancy in 2006. Each patient received first dose of misoprostol (800 μg/vaginal), the second dose (800 μg/vaginal) was administered 24 hours after the first dose if expulsion of conceptus was not successful and curettage was performed if product of conception remained. RESULTS: From 100 patients, 83 women (83%) had …

Oxidative Stress And Antioxidant Status In Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, Mehmet Davutoglu, Ekrem Guler, Seref Olgar, Ergul B. Kurutas, Hamza Karabiber, Mesut Garipardic, Hasan C. Ekerbicer

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible relationships between plasma bilirubin levels and concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia. METHODS: Thirty term (gestational age >/= 37 weeks) newborn infants with indirect hyperbilirubinemia aged less than 10 days were prospectively recruited in the Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Neonatal Unit, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, between January and July 2007. Thirty randomly selected healthy newborns who had similar age and without clinical jaundice comprised the control group. Erythrocyte catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and plasma MDA and NO concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Both …

Folic Acid Awareness Among Female College Students. Neural Tube Defects Prevention, Jameela A. Kari, Ekhlas S. Bardisi, Rabaa M. Baitalmal, Ghofran A. Ageely

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of awareness among female college students on the importance of preconception folic acid supplementation in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs). We have also studied their response after educating them. METHODS: This is a questionnaire-based study. Five hundreds questionnaires were distributed to the female students of the 3 colleges, namely, Humanities, Sciences, and Health in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2008. The questions included an enquiry on their knowledge regarding the importance of folic acid preconception, and if they will implement what they learned after listening to lectures, delivered by the 4th year medical …

Topical Therapy Of Acne Vulgaris Using 2% Tea Lotion In Comparison With 5% Zinc Sulphate Solution, Khalifa E. Sharquie, Adil A. Noaimi, Mazin M. Al-Salih

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effectiveness of 2% tea lotion in comparison with 5% zinc sulphate solution in the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS: This is a single-blind randomly comparative therapeutic clinical trial carried out in the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq from June 2006 to December 2007. Full history and clinical examination were studied for each patient regarding all relevant points of the disease, to evaluate the severity of acne. Forty-seven patients with acne vulgaris were divided randomly into 2 groups, and were instructed to use the following solutions twice daily for 2 months; group A used 2% …

Treatment Of Perniosis With Oral Pentoxyfylline In Comparison With Oral Prednisolone Plus Topical Clobetasol Ointment In Iraqi Patients, Adil A. Noaimi, Basman M. Fadheel

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pentoxyfylline in treatment of perniosis in comparison with prednisolone plus topical clobetasol ointment. METHODS: This is an open comparative therapeutic trial conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq between January and March 2008. Forty patients with perniosis were enrolled in this study, and divided randomly into 2 equal groups, according to the sort of treatment. Group A comprised patients who received oral prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg in 2 divided doses, and topical clobetasol ointment for 2 weeks. Group B comprised patients who received pentoxyfylline tablet 1200 mg/day in 3 …

25-Hydoxyvitamin D Levels Among Healthy Saudi Arabian Women, Haifa A. Al-Turki, Mir Sadat-Ali, Abdulmohsen H. Al-Elq, Fathma A. Al-Mulhim, Amein K. Al-Ali

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To assess the serum level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D 25OHD among healthy Saudi Arabian women living in the eastern province. METHODS: A cross-sectional randomized study was conducted between February 1st 2008 and May 31st 2008 at the King Fahd University Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 200 Saudi women between 25-35 years group 1 and women of >/=50 years group 2. Clinical examination, laboratory tests, a complete blood picture, serum calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone, and the serum levels of 25OHD levels were carried out. Data on lifestyle, dietary, and demographic questionnaires were collected. Vitamin D was defined …

Role Of Tissue Harmonic Imaging In Characterization Of Cystic Renal Lesions, Asmi Mohammed, Manavjit S. Sandhu, Anupam Lal, Kushaljit S. Sodhi, Kamal Sud, Harbir S. Kohli

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of tissue harmonic imaging in evaluating cystic renal lesions and to compare these findings with conventional ultrasound guidance (USG) and CT. METHODS: Thirty patients, detected with cystic renal lesions on routine USG (over a period of 18 months from July 2004 to December 2005 at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India) were included in this study. All patients underwent a conventional gray scale ultrasound study (GSI), followed by tissue harmonic imaging (THI) sonography on the same machine (advance technology limited high definition imaging 5000). Computed tomography of abdomen was carried …

Hepatitis B And C Knowledge Among Saudi Dental Patients, Nahid Y. Ashri

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To explore Saudi dental patients9 awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and its knowledge of transmission; and to compare the HBV and HCV knowledge and practices of men and women. METHODS: A pre-tested anonymous self-administered one-page questionnaire consisting of 3 parts with 32 different statements concerning basic knowledge of HBV and HCV, their mode of transmission, risk behaviors, prevention, treatment and immunization were randomly distributed to dental patients at clinics and waiting areas of different governmental and private dental clinics. The study was conducted between 2006 and 2007, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi …

Spatial Modeling Of Malaria Incidence Rates In Sistan And Baluchistan Province, Islamic Republic Of Iran, Masoud Salehi, Kazem Mohammad, Mahmud M. Farahani, Hojjat Zeraati, Keramat Nourijelyani, Farid Zayeri

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of environmental factors on malaria risk, and to visualize spatial map of malaria standard incidence rates in Sistan and Baluchistan province, Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the data from 42,162 registered new malaria cases from 21 March 2001 (Iranian new year) to 21 of March 2006 were studied. To describe the statistical association between environmental factors and malaria risk, a generalized linear mixed model approach was utilized. In addition, we used the second ordered stationary Kriging, and a variogram to determine the appropriate spatial correlation structure among the malaria standard incidence …

Patients Awareness Of Their Medical Conditions In Multi-Specialty Outpatient Clinics In Saudi Arabia, Saad S. Al-Khowaiter, Abdulaziz M. Al-Maawi, Mamdoh S. Al-Obaidy, Abdulaziz S. Al-Ali, Mohammed O. Al-Rukban, Yasser A. Al-Sedrani, Ayman A. Abdo

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To assess the patients awareness of their medical conditions, identify the factors affecting their awareness, and assess patient9s satisfaction with their doctors explanations of medical conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2005 in the outpatient clinics of King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The statistical package for Social Science was used for analysis. RESULTS: Five hundred and one patients were included in the study. The mean age was 45.6 ± 16.8. Fifty-five percent were female and 29% were highly educated. Most of the patients …

Reliability, Validity, And Feasibility Of The Objective Structured Clinical Examination In Assessing Clinical Skills Of Final Year Surgical Clerkship, Mohammed Y. Al-Naami

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with measurements of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) conducted for the final surgical clerkship year. METHODS: A pilot study of the OSCE was conducted on 64 students split over 2 consecutive days lasting 160 minutes each day in May 22-23, 2005 at the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There were 24 actual stations in day one and 22 in day 2, consisting of combinations of history taking/communication skills, physical examination skills, and problem solving skills. RESULTS: The stability of the OSCE measured by Cronbach9s alpha …

Acute Kidney Injury Secondary To Lymphomatous Infiltration And The Role Of Kidney Biopsy, Ahmed M. Alkhunaizi, Riyadh A. Daabil, Mohammad F. Dawamneh

Saudi Medical Journal

We report a 47-year-old male patient who developed acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis, associated with massive enlargement of both kidneys. A part from intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy, there was no other organ or lymph node involvement. A kidney biopsy established the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma. The patient received chemotherapy with good response. This case demonstrates that the kidney could be the primary organ involved in non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma. In addition, we have shown that renal biopsy is adequate to make a diagnosis of lymphoma without the need to do more invasive testing.

Unusual Outcome Of Ludwig's Angina, Kamaleldin A. Abou-Elhamd, Maeidah A. Al-Rasheed, Ahmed Jawad

Saudi Medical Journal

This is a report of 2 cases of Ludwig9s angina. An Indonesian young female patient developed severe stridor after oral examination. Then she underwent tracheostomy and developed post decannulation dyspnea due to huge surgical emphysema. The second case regards an Indian young male who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and died from hemorrhage. The objectives of our cases presentation are to avoid mouth examination of Ludwig9s angina if we are not ready for performing tracheotomy and to be aware of the possible development of disseminated intravascular coagulation and post decannulation emphysema.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Of The Mesentery Associated With High Fever And Positive Widal Test, Camil J. Chouairy, Elie A. Bechara, Sleiman J. Gebran, Ramy H. Ghabril

Saudi Medical Journal

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is associated in 15-30% of cases with systemic symptomatology, such as prolonged fever, weight loss, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anemia, thrombocytosis, and leukocytosis. We report the case of a 4-year-old Lebanese boy who presented with high-grade fever of long duration, and a single (unpaired) positive Widal agglutination test. Blood culture was negative. A diagnosis of typhoid fever was made. An abdominal (mesenteric) IMT was incidentally discovered, 30 days after the fever had appeared. After surgery, the fever disappeared immediately, and the ESR returned to normal. We strongly favor the possibility of a false positive Widal …

Neonatal Screening Of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency In Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates, Saad S. Al-Ani, Amin A. Baker, Amal K. Al-Athmani, Bushra J. Al-Jesmi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of The Etiology Of Adult Mandibular Fractures In The Sultanate Of Oman And South Australia, Ahmed K. Al-Hashmi, Mohammed I. Al-Ismaily, Alastair N. Goss

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Morbidity And Mortality Rounds In A Saudi Hospital, Tabasum Akram, Alaa S. Abduljabbar, Zakaria S. Habib, Saif Al-Sobhi, Ahmad Zubaidi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Emergency Cervical Cerclage. Does The Gestational Age Make A Difference?, Mamdoh A Eskandar

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Free Catecholamines In Urine By Tandem Affinity/Ion-Pair Chromatography And Flow Injection Analysis, David H. Thomas, Jay D. Taylor, Omar S. Barnaby, David S. Hage

David Hage Publications

Background—A system was developed for the simultaneous measurement in urine of free catecholamines (i.e., dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) and creatinine (i.e., an indicator of urine output and volume). This method was based on the use of tandem affinity/ion-pair HPLC and flow injection analysis.

Methods—The free catecholamines were extracted directly from urine by using an on-line phenylboronic acid affinity column. The extracted solutes were then separated and measured by ionpair chromatography followed by amperometric detection. Creatinine was measured by an on-line flow injection analysis system based on the Jaffe reaction, which analyzed creatinine as it eluted nonretained from the phenylboronic …

How Does A Riverine Setting Affect The Lifestyle Of Shellmound Builders In Brazil?, Sabine Eggers, C. C. Petronilho, K. Brandt, C. Jericó-Daminello, J. Filippini, Karl Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

The contact of inland and coastal prehistoric groups in Brazil is believed to have been restricted to regions with no geographical barrier, as is the case in the Ribeira de Iguape valley. The inland osteological collection from the riverine shellmound Moraes (5800–4500 BP) represents a unique opportunity to test this assumption for this region. Despite cultural similarities between riverine and coastal shellmounds, important ecological and site distribution differences are expected to impact on lifestyle. The purpose of this study is thus to document and interpret health and lifestyle indicators in Moraes in comparison to coastal shellmound groups. Specifically we test …

Acceptance Of The Clark P. Read Mentor Award: Students, Opportunity, Serendipity, And W.B. Yeats: "Education Is Not The Filling Of A Pail; It Is The Lighting Of A Fire", Donald W. Duszynski

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Transcript of the speech given by Donald W. Duszynski, of the University of New Mexico, upon acceptance of the American Society of Parasitologists' Clark P. Read Mentor Award, 2008.

Presentation Of The 2008 Asp Distinguished Service Award To William C. Campbell, Robin M. Overstreet

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Presentation of the 2008 American Society of Parasitologists Distinguished Service Award to William C. Campbell, Dana Fellow for scientists emeriti at Drew University.

On The Concept Of A Morally Relevant Harm, David Lefkowitz

Philosophy Faculty Publications

In this paper I explicate and defend the concept of a morally relevant harm. This concept figures prominently in common-sense and contractualist moral reasoning concerning cases where an agent can prevent harm to members of a large group or a small one, but not both. When the two harms to which members of these groups are exposed are morally relevant to one another, an agent is permitted (or perhaps required) to take into account the number of people he can save. When the harms are irrelevant, an agent should not even consider preventing the lesser harm, regardless of how many …