Search

This paper aims at presenting the findings of the study on the position of street vendors in the District Srinagar, Kashmir, in India, including both men and women, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The purpose of the study was to explore various challenges street vendors faced during the COVID-19 lockdown and to highlight the vulnerability of this particular group of informal workers. The data was collected through face-to-face interviews with the use of a questionnaire, on a sample of 150 street vendors from the District Srinagar. In addition, a certain number of in-depth interviews with selected respondents from the sample was done. The study findings show that the majority of the respondents have lost their job during the peak period of COVID-19, i.e. from March to July 2020. The findings have also revealed that the lockdown directly impacted the socio-economic conditions of the workers which made it very difficult for them to survive during the peak of COVID-19. Additionally, workers were struggling very hard in order to fulfill the basic daily needs of their families. Therefore, it is suggested that the government of India should provide financial support to street vendors in order to compensate for the loss caused due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

In India, the brick kiln industry is a huge industry employing millions of workers belonging to both rural and urban areas. Most workers in the brick kiln industry reside near the worksites in unhygienic and shabby homes, mainly made up of raw bricks. The present research was carried out on migrant workers who work in the brick kiln industry in District Budgam of Kashmir valley. It is a qualitative study carried out with the help of a focused group discussion with the workers. The study has revealed that all the workers are from Bihar and work in the brick kiln industry for six to seven months per year. All the respondents of the study with whom group discussion was done were illiterate. There are various problems associated with workers like health problems, lack of proper living space, the problem of child labour and lack of any social security support from the government. Workers in the brick kiln industry work under a very high-pressure workload especially during the peak season of construction. There is an urgent need on part of the government to frame some policies for the welfare and protection of migrant brick kiln workers. Further, employers should also provide safe living space and social security to workers.

This study aimed at optimizing process protocols for development of low glycemic index (GI) rice flour (LGIRF) by employing enzymatic hydrolysis method using central composite rotatable design (CCRD). LGIRF was evaluated for pasting, farinographic, spectroscopic and microbiological attributes. Independent variables for optimization included concentrations of α-amylase (0.02-0.12 %), glucoamylase (0.02-0.24 %), as well as the incubation temperature (55-80°C). Resistant starch (RS), glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) were investigated as response variables. The optimum conditions for development of LGIRF with better quality were- α-amylase concentration of 0.040 %, glucoamylase concentration of 0.070 % and an incubation temperature of 60 °C. The results of mineral analysis revealed significantly (p < 0.05) lower levels of boron, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese in LGIRF, while iron and copper were significantly higher. The viscosity profile as evident from pasting profile and farinographic characteristics of LGIRF were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than native rice flour. 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR spectroscopic studies showed an increase in flexible starch segments and a decrease in amorphous portion of starch LGIRF, along with chemical shift alterations in carbons 1 and 4. Free fatty acids and total plate count were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in LGIRF although was within limits., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None of the authors report any conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Event-based surveillance (EBS) is an essential component of Early Warning Alert and Response (EWAR) as per the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005. EBS was established in Sudan in 2016 as a complementary system for Indicator-based surveillance (IBS). This review will provide an overview of the current EBS structure, functions and performance in Sudan and identify the gaps and ways forward.  METHODS: The review followed the WHO/EMRO guidelines and tools. Structured discussions, observation and review of records and guidelines were done at national and state levels. Community volunteers were interviewed through phone calls. Directors of Health Emergency and Epidemic Control, surveillance officers and focal persons for EBS at the state level were also interviewed. SPSS software was used to perform descriptive statistical analysis for quantitative data, while qualitative data was analysed manually using thematic analysis, paying particular attention to the health system level allowing for an exploration of how and why experiences differ across levels. Written and verbal consents were obtained from all participants as appropriate., Results: Sudan has a functioning EBS; however, there is an underestimation of its contribution and importance at the national and states levels. The link between the national level and states is ad hoc or is driven by the need for reports. While community event-based surveillance (CEBS) is functioning, EBS from health facilities and from non-health sectors is not currently active. The integration of EBS into overall surveillance was not addressed, and the pathway from detection to action is not clear. The use of electronic databases and platforms is generally limited. Factors that would improve performance include training, presence of a trained focal person at state level, and regular follow-up from the national level. Factors such as staff turnover, income in relation to expenses and not having a high academic qualification (Diploma or MSc) were noticed as inhibiting factors., Conclusion: The review recommended revisiting the surveillance structure at national and state levels to put EBS as an essential component and to update guidelines and standard operation procedures SOPs to foster the integration between EBS components and the overall surveillance system. The need for strengthening the link with states, capacity building and re-addressing the training modalities was highlighted., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: To define optimal intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) cut-off threshold predictive of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy for safe and effective postoperative management., Methods: This prospective single center study was done in 2 phases. In phase I, predictors of symptomatic hypocalcemia were analyzed and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to define the optimal iPTH cut-off threshold predictive of hypocalcemia. Phase II studied giving prompt prophylactic supplemental calcium and vitamin D to all patients who had iPTH levels below the calculated threshold, while phase I patients were given prompt selective supplementation if they had postoperative hypocalcemia or symptoms., Results: Univariate analysis of patients in phase I showed that postoperative iPTH was the only significant variable that can predict symptomatic hypocalcemia. Using receiver operating characteristic curve and Youden index, the confirmed optimal cut-off threshold predictive of hypocalcemia was iPTH 19.95 pg/mL, with area under the curve of 0.903, 100% sensitivity, negative predictive value, and highest Youden index, while iPTH 15 pg/mL and iPTH 10 pg/mL were less optimal. Symptomatic hypocalcemia occurred in 30% of the phase I cohort who received selective supplementation versus 3% of those in the phase II cohort who received prophylactic supplementation. Return to emergency department and need for intravenous calcium were also significantly better in phase II., Conclusion: iPTH cut-off for post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia was 19.95 pg/mL. Low-risk patients were discharged with no supplementation while all high-risk patients received prompt calcium and vitamin D supplementation, which led to effective hypocalcemia management and safe 24-hour discharge., (Copyright © 2021 AACE. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) following kidney transplantation can result from recipient reactivation of latent human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection or activation of donor-acquired HHV-8 infection. Post-transplant KS typically manifests with cutaneous pathology, but rare cases of renal allograft involvement have been reported. We describe two cases of donor-derived HHV-8 infection in two hepatitis C (HCV) viremia-negative transplant recipients who each received a kidney from a donor with HCV viremia. One recipient did not develop KS while the other presented with acute kidney injury caused by extensive KS infiltration of the renal parenchyma and metastatic disease. This report reviews the literature for cases of KS involving the renal allograft and highlights an unexpected consequence of deliberate HCV-positive organ transplantation., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the current prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among Dyspepsia patients and correlate this with Endoscopic findings., Methods: A retrospective, descriptive facility-based study was conducted from June to December 2017 to estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among dyspepsia patients from Majmaah, Sudair, Zulfi and Shaqra areas of Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. Four years data from January 2012 to December 2016 were reviewd by a checklist and analyzed by SPSS., Results: Out of 1398 dyspepsia patients, 485 (34.7%) were positive and 913 (65.3%) were negative for H-Pylori infection. Majority of patients 1143 (81.7%) had gastritis, out of which, 457 (39.9%) of gastritis patients were H-pylori positive. The frequency of H-pylori infection was significantly higher among patients with gastritis (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of H-pylori infection among patients with erosion, ulcer, polyp and cancer (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: The prevalence of H.Pylori was low as compared to other governorates in the kingdom and regional countries. Gastritis was dominating finding on upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

Purpose: Acute trauma patients are at risk for the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). One potential nephrotoxic agent, which a trauma patient may be exposed to, is iodinated contrast media (ICM). We aim to review the incidence and outcome of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in trauma patients in a busy trauma service, and to identify potentially modifiable risk factors., Methods: During the period from December 2012 to April 2017, all patients who underwent a contrast-enhanced CT scan for trauma were included. Data were examined and outcome data were reviewed., Results: A total of 1566 patients required a CT scan following blunt trauma at our institution. Of this total 755 patients underwent a contrast-enhanced CT scan. There were 173 females (22.9%) and 582 males (77.1%). All these patients received intravenous contrast. A total of 143 (18.9%) were admitted to ICU, and 58 (7.7%) of patients died. Detailed electrolyte studies pre- and post-procedure were available for 312 patients. Of these 312 patients, 46 developed CIN (14.7%).There was no difference in the incidence of pre-CT AKI or deranged electrolytes between the patients who developed CIN and those who did not. The development of CIN was associated with an increased risk of death as well as increased need for renal replacement therapy as well as increased need for ICU., Conclusion: Contrast-induced nephropathy is a real risk in trauma patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT scan for blunt trauma in our environment. Further work is needed to define and delineate risk factors.

Background: There is growing realisation that human error contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in modern healthcare. A number of taxonomies and classification systems have been developed in an attempt to categorise errors and quantify their impact., Objectives: To record and identify adverse events and errors as they impacted on acute trauma patients undergoing a computed tomography (CT) scan, and then quantify the effect this had on the individual patients. It is hoped that these data will provide evidence to develop error prevention programmes designed to reduce the incidence of human error., Methods: The trauma database was interrogated for the period December 2012 - April 2017. All patients aged &gt;18 years who underwent a CT scan for blunt trauma were included. All recorded morbidity for these patients was reviewed., Results: During the period under review, a total of 1 566 patients required a CT scan at our institution following blunt trauma. Of these, 192 (12.3%, 134 male and 58 female) experienced an error related to the process of undergoing a CT scan. Of 755 patients who underwent a CT scan with intravenous contrast, detailed results were available for 312, and of these 46 (14.7%) had an acute deterioration in renal function. According to Chang's taxonomy, physical harm occurred as follows: grade I n=6, grade II n=62, grade III n=45, grade IV n=11, grade V n=27, grade VI n=21, grade VII n=15, grade VIII n=3 and grade IX n=2. Adverse events were performing an unnecessary scan (n=24), omitting an indicated scan (n=23), performing the scan incorrectly (n=8), scanning the wrong body part (n=7), equipment failure (n=18), omitting treatment following the scan (n=6), incorrect interpretation of the scan (n=65), deterioration during the scan (n=6) and others (n=35). The setting for the error was the ward (n=19), the radiology suite (n=126), the emergency department (n=45) and the operating theatre (n=2). The staff responsible for the adverse events were medical (n=155), nursing (n=4) and radiology staff (n=15). There were 67 errors of commission and 125 errors of omission. The primary cause was a planning problem in 78 cases and an execution problem in 114., Conclusions: Errors and adverse events related to obtaining a CT scan following blunt polytrauma are not uncommon and may impact significantly on the patient. Communication is essential to eliminate errors related to performing the wrong type of scan. The commonest errors relate to misinterpretation of the scan.

Background: Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) can lead to a range of clinical illnesses., Objectives: To examine hazards of hepatitis B virus associated with clinical departments and occupations; among health care workers in Public Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan., Methods: The study was a cross sectional, facility-based study. It was conducted on stratified two-stage cluster random sample of 843 subjects of whom 324 were at high-hazard, 445 at moderate hazard, and 74 at low hazard; depending on degree of exposure to blood and body fluids of patients. To assess hazards of HBV among departments and occupations of HCWs, non-parametric Methods of Chi-square test, was used., Results: For Anti-HBc vulnerable departments was Renal Dialysis (100%); while for occupations was midwives (73.3%). For carrier rate (+ve HBsAg), highest rate found in department of Management (6.8%); while for occupations was Midwives (6.7%). Regarding immunity (+ve Anti-HBs), the highest percentage found in the department of Dentistry (25.9%); while for occupations was associated with Doctors (14.8%). For a profile of high infectivity (+ve HBeAg), the most vulnerable department in terms of HBV hazards was the Surgery (1.4%); while for occupations was nurses (0.9%)., Conclusion: There was a significant association for infection rate of HBV with occupation and type of department. The most hazardous departments, was Surgery with a profile of high infectivity rate, followed by other departments (medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry & ophthalmology). As for occupations, the most hazardous group was nurses group with a profile of high infectivity rate.

To determine normal values of respiratory function for Sudanese, a randomized stratified cross-sectional study was performed on 2250 healthy Sudanese aged 7-86 years in 2002-05. Data were obtained through a questionnaire, pulmonary function testing and taking anthropometric measurements. Lung function and anthropometric measurements were correlated and regression equations were derived. Sudanese of Arab ethnic background had significantly higher forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 (first) second (FEVI) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) than those of African ethnicity. In adults a positive correlation was found between lung function and height and a negative correlation with age. Gender and ethnic variations in Sudanese lung function were confirmed. Comparisons were made with data from other international studies. These values can be used as reference values in respiratory clinics in Sudan.

Objective: The services of the Ministry of Health Drug Information Center--Khartoum State were evaluated by assessing users' satisfaction., Method: Four hundred and twenty-three subjects were recruited from center records using a systematic random sampling technique. Subjects who consented were interviewed by telephone using a specially designed semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive as well as comparative analyses were carried out. Differences between groups were tested using the Chi-square test when applicable., Results: The majority of users surveyed (89.6%) had called the center from within Khartoum State and 10.4% of users had called from other states. Of the enquiries, 36.1% were from pharmacists, 29.5% from physicians, and 22.3% from laypersons. The vast majority (93.1%) of respondents were educated to degree level or higher. Approximately one fifth, one half, and one third of the users surveyed had consulted the center >5 times, 2-5 times, and once, respectively. More than 90% of users rated the services provided as good to excellent and 94.7% declared their probable intention to continue utilizing the center in the future., Conclusion: The center succeeded in satisfying and retaining its users by providing an acceptable quality of service.

Objective: Factors responsible for the low incidence of clinical prostate cancer in the Arab population remain unclear, but may be related to differences in androgenic steroid hormone metabolism between Arabs and other populations, especially as prostate cancer is believed to be androgen dependent. We therefore measured the levels of serum androgenic steroids and their binding proteins in Arab men and compared results obtained with values reported for Caucasian populations to determine if any differences could at least partially account for differences in incidence of prostate cancer rates between the two populations., Methods: Venous blood samples were obtained from 327 unselected apparently healthy indigenous Arab men (Kuwaitis and Omanis) aged 15-79 years. Samples were also obtained from 30 Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Serum levels of total testosterone (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), derived free androgen index (FAI); adrenal C19 -steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADT) were determined by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Age specific reference intervals, mean and median for each analyte were determined. Frequency distribution pattern for each hormone was plotted. The reference range for hormones with normal distribution was mean +/- 2SD and 2.5-97.5% for those with non-normal distribution. The mean serum levels of the hormones in Arab men with prostate cancer were compared with values in healthy age-matched Arab men., Results: There was a significant decrease between the 21-29 years age group and the 70-79 years age group for TT (-38.77%), DHEAS (-70%), ADT (-36%) and FAI (-63.25%), and an increase for SHBG (+64%). The calculated reference ranges are TT (2.73-30.45 nmol/L), SHBG (6.45-65.67 nmol/L), FAI (14.51-180.34), DHEAS (0.9-11.0 micromol/L) and ADT (0.54-4.26 ng/mL). The mean TT, SHBG, DHEAS and ADT in Arab men were significantly lower than those reported for Caucasians especially in the 21-29 years age group. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer had higher serum TT (P < 0.7), ADT (P < 0.2), SHBG (P < 0.2) and lower DHEAS (P < 0.008) compared to aged matched controls., Conclusions: Serum TT, SHBG, DHEAS and ADT levels are significantly lower in Arab men compared to those reported for Caucasian men, especially in early adulthood. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer have higher circulating androgens compared to healthy controls. We suggest that low circulating androgens and their adrenal precursors in Arab men when compared to Caucasians may partially account for the relatively lower risk for prostate cancer among Arab men.

Introduction: Factors responsible for the low incidence of clinical prostate cancer (3-8/100,000 men/year) in the Arab population remain unclear, but may be related to changes in steroid hormone metabolism. We compared the levels of serum conjugated and unconjugated steroids between Arab and Caucasian populations, to determine if these can provide a rational explanation for differences in incidence of prostate cancer between the two populations., Patients/method: Venous blood samples were obtained from 329 unselected apparently healthy indigenous Arab men (Kuwaitis and Omanis) aged 15-80 years. Samples were also obtained from similar Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The samples were taken between 8:00 am and 12:00 noon. Serum levels of total testosterone, (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI); adrenal C19-steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADT) were determined using Immulite kits (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories Inc, Webster Texas, USA). The results obtained in Arab men were compared with those reported for similarly aged Chinese, German and White USA men., Results: In all four ethnic groups, median TT and FAI declined with age, while SHBG increased with age. However, the mean TT and SHBG was significantly lower (p < 0.01) and the FAI significantly higher in Arab men (p < 0.01) compared to German men only in 21-30 years age group. In the other age groups the levels of TT and SHBG were higher in the Germans but the differences were not statistically significant. In all the racial groups serum levels of DHEAS and ADT reached a peak by about 20 years of life, and then declined progressively. The mean DHEAS in American Caucasians aged 20-29 years was 11.4 micromol/l compared to 6.22 micromol/l in the Arabs (p < 0.001). The mean DHEAS in USA Caucasians aged 70-79 years was 2.5 micromol/l compared to 1.8 micromol/l (p < 0.03) in the Arabs. There was no significant difference in mean serum levels of DHEAS between German and USA men. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the level of the hormones between Arab and Chinese men. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer had high serum TT, SHBG and DHEAS compared to those without the disease., Conclusions: The mean TT and SHBG was significantly lower in Arab men compared to Caucasian men especially in early adulthood. Caucasians have significantly higher serum levels of the precursor androgens DHEAS and ADT especially in early adulthood compared to Arab men. These observations of low circulating androgens and their adrenal precursors in Arab men may partially account for the decreased risk for prostate cancer among Arab men.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the age-specific reference ranges for some important male sex steroid hormones, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), for the Kuwaiti population., Subjects and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 398 consenting, fasting, healthy Kuwaiti males aged 15-80 years between 8.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon. The serum concentrations of total testosterone (TT), dehydro-epiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione (ADT), sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, PSA, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were determined. A distribution curve was plotted and age-specific reference levels were determined for each analyte. The reference interval for parameters with a normal distribution (Gaussian) was mean +/- 2 SD, while for the non-normal distribution (non-Gaussian), it was 2.5-97.5 percentile. The reference intervals for the analytes obtained from this study were compared with those suggested by the kit manufacturers and currently used by the Ministry of Health, Kuwait Laboratories (MOHKL)., Results: Serum IGFBP-3 and ADT had normal distribution while other analytes had non-normal distribution. The reference intervals from this study, manufacturers kit and MOHKL were as follows: TT 3-31, 9-60, 8-35 nmol/l; DHEAS 0.9-11, 1.0-7.3, 2.2- 15.2 micromol/l; ADT 0.5-4.3, 0.8-2.8, 2.0-9.2 nmol/l; LH 1-11, 0.8-7.6, 0.4-5.7 mIU/l; FSH 0.5-11, 0.7-11.1, 1.1-13.5 mIU/l; prolactin 42-397, 53-360, 80-230 nmol/l; IGF-1 41-542, 78-956, 71-261 ng/ml; IGFBP-3 88- 2,090, 900-4,000, 900-4,000 ng/ml, and PSA 0-3.1, 0-4, 0-4 ng/ml, respectively., Conclusion: These data indicate that for Kuwaitis lower reference ranges must be used for serum TT, DHEAS, ADT, IGFBP-3 and PSA. There is no need to change the currently used reference interval for FSH whereas higher values must be used for LH, prolactin, and IGF-1.

Introduction: The incidence of clinical prostate cancer in the Arab population is among the lowest in the world. High serum IGF-1 level has been implicated as a possible risk factor for the development of prostate cancer in Caucasians. The purpose of this study was to determine serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in healthy Arab men and in Arab men with newly diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer, and to compare these values with values reported in Caucasians., Patients and Methods: Subjects were recruited in two groups: (a) indigenous, healthy Arab men aged 15-90 y (n = 383); (b) Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (n = 30) or BPH (n = 40). Blood was obtained from fasting patients and volunteers, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. The serum concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were determined using Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) kits., Results: As in Caucasians, serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels declined with age in Arab men. The mean +/- s.d. of serum IGF-1 levels in healthy Arab men in the age group 15-20, 51-60, 61-70 y were lower (376.2 +/- 153.2, 134.9 +/- 105.7 and 89.6 +/- 48.4 ng/ml, respectively), compared to values reported for similarly aged Caucasians. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer had significantly higher serum IGF-1 level (P < 0.01) and lower IGFBP-3 levels (P < 0.01) compared to age-matched Arabs without the disease., Conclusions: Arab men have lower serum IGF-1 levels compared to Caucasians and this may be an important factor in the explanation of the low incidence of prostate cancer in the Arab population.

Background: Relatively little is known concerning the immunohistochemical marking of sinonasal adenocarcinoma (SNA). The most clinically problematic tumors are those that seem histologically identical to colonic adenocarcinoma, a neoplasm that may metastasize to the sinonasal region. To determine whether differentiated immunohistochemical expression of keratins could differentiate primary from metastatic tumors and to understand the biology of these tumors, differentiated keratin and oncoprotein expression was investigated., Methods: Eleven patients with sinonasal adenocarcinoma were investigated for expression of cytokeratins 7 and 20 (CK7, CK20), AE 1/3, CAM 5.2, smooth muscle-specific actin, muscle-specific actin, desmin, S-100, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), p53, and HER-2/neu., Results: All sinonasal adenocarcinomas of intestinal type were cytokeratin 7 positive. None of the tumors showed myoepithelial differentiation. Strong HER-2/neu staining was seen in some tumors., Conclusions: Strong HER-2/neu staining in some cases suggests this oncogene may be involved in the genesis of SNA. Immunohistochemical staining with cytokeratin 7 may be potentially useful in differentiating primary from metastatic disease in sinonasal adenocarcinomas of the intestinal subtype., (Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 763-771, 2003)

The phenotypic distributions of observed numbers of ABO blood groups in a Kuwaiti sample population of 18,558 subjects are 4962 (26.7%) with A, 4,462 (24.1%) with B, 858 (4.6%) with AB, and 8,276 (44.6%) with 0. The calculated gene frequencies are 0.6678 for ABO*O, 0.1768 for ABO*A, and 0.1554 for ABO*B. Molecular genotyping of the ABO blood group system in a Kuwaiti sample population was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The positions of nucleotides 258 and 700 of cDNA from A transferase were amplified by PCR. The amplified DNA was subjected to RFLP analysis to distinguish A, B, and O alleles. Blood samples of known ABO phenotype from 101 healthy unrelated Kuwaiti individuals (A, 29; B, 23; AB, 14; O,35) were used. Two DNA fragments of the ABO locus were designed to be amplified by 2 pairs of primers. To identify the 258th nucleotide, a 199- or 200-bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR and digested with KpnI. For the 700th nucleotide, a 128-bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR and digested with AluI. By analyzing the electrophoresis patterns,ABO genotypes were conclusively determined by examining the DNA fragments. The ABO genotypes of the known 101 samples were as follows: AA, 4.30%; AO, 24.41%; BB, 4.16%; BO, 24.2%; AB, 8.46%; and 00, 34.65%. These results were confirmed statistically using the calculated frequencies of IA, IB, and IO alleles.

1. This study examines the effect of treating rats with gentamicin (80 mg kg-1 day-1 intramuscularly (i.m.), for 6 days) alone or with either L-thyroxine or the anti-thyroid drug carbimazole. 2. Gentamicin produced significant increases in serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and significantly reduced the activity of Na+,K+ATPase in renal cortex. The concentration of serum triiodothyronine (T3) was unaffected by graded doses (20, 40 and 80 mg kg-1) of the antibiotic. Histopathologically, gentamicin produced necrosis of proximal tubules in the renal cortical tissues of treated rats. 3. Treatment of rats with either L-thyroxine or carbimazole alone did not significantly affect any of the biochemical variables investigated. Carbimazole alone produced only mild tubular necrosis. 4. Treatment of rats with either L-thyroxine (100 micrograms kg-1 day-1, subcutaneously) for 10 days, and gentamicin (80 mg kg-1, i.m. daily during the last 6 days of treatment significantly reduced the gentamicin-induced increases in serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and increased the activity of cortical N+,K+ATPase to control levels. Histopathologically, the severity of gentamicin-induced tubular necrosis was reduced by L-thyroxine treatment. 5. Carbimazole (12 mg ml-1 in drinking water for 21 days) and gentamicin (80 mg kg-1 i.m.) daily during the last 6 days of treatment, stimulated the increase in serum urea concentration produced by gentamicin, but did not significantly affect the gentamicin-induced changes in serum creatinine or cortical N+,K+ATPase.

1. Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats by injecting gentamicin intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 80 mg/kg for 6 days. Treated animals demonstrated a typical pattern of nephrotoxicity characterized by increased serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and by necrosis of proximal tubular epithelium. 2. Pretreatment of rats with iron (Fe3+) at daily i.m. doses of 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg for 14 days, with gentamicin given during the last 6 days of treatment, significantly potentiated the gentamicin-induced increases in creatinine and urea concentrations and exacerbated renal histological damage. 3. Gentamicin significantly increased serum Fe3+ concentration in rats treated with Fe3+ and gentamicin, compared to Fe(3+)-treated rats. 4. The Fe3+ antidote deferoxamine (100 mg/kg, i.m.) given with gentamicin was ineffective in antagonizing the potentiating effect of Fe3+ on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. 5. Ascorbic acid (50 mg/kg, i.m. for 14 days) was ineffective in altering the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin (80 mg/kg) given during the last 6 days of treatment. At a dose of 100 mg/kg for 14 days, ascorbic acid significantly reduced gentamicin-induced increases in creatinine and urea levels, and ameliorated proximal tubular damage. However, at a dose of 200 mg/kg, ascorbic acid exacerbated gentamicin-induced increases in creatinine and urea levels and increased the severity of the histological damage.

The effect of fish oil on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated in rats. Gentamicin (80 mg/kg/day intramuscularly for 6 days) produced the typical pattern of nephrotoxicity as shown by increases in serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity and proximal renal tubular necrosis. Fish oil (5.0 ml/kg/kday per os for 10 days) partially protected against the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin administered during the last 6 days of treatment with fish oil by returning the creatinine and urea concentrations and NAG activity to normal and by ameliorating the histopathological damage. Olive oil (5 mg/kg/day per os for 10 days) was ineffective in protecting rats against gentamicin nephrotoxicity.

Rats were injected with gentamicin at doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg per day for 6 consecutive days. The treatment caused nephrotoxicity as evidenced by dose-related increases in serum creatinine concentration and renal tubular necrosis. The nephrotoxicity was accompanied by reduced renal cortical and fasting blood glucose levels, and by increases in serum lactate concentrations. The activities of cortical malate dehydrogenase and alanine transaminase were significantly reduced by the three doses of gentamicin. On the other hand, aspartate transaminase activity was lowered only by the highest dose of antibiotic used. However, the activity of cortical glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was altered by the 20 and 40 mg/kg doses of gentamicin, but not by the 80 mg/kg dose. The two lower doses reduced the lactate content of the cortex but activated lactate dehydrogenase. The activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase was not altered by any of the gentamicin doses used.

1. Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats by injecting gentamicin intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day for 6 days. Treated animals demonstrated a typical pattern of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity characterized histopathologically by necrosis of proximal tubular epithelium, and biochemically by increased serum creatinine and urea concentrations. Reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in renal cortex was significantly decreased by gentamicin. 2. Simultaneous treatment of rats with gentamicin and either captopril or diltiazem significantly potentiated the gentamicin-induced increases in serum creatinine and urea and did not significantly affect the gentamicin-induced decrease in cortical GSH concentration. 3. Concomitant treatment with gentamicin and either Ca2+ or pyridoxal-5'-phosphate decreased serum urea level, did not significantly affect serum creatinine concentration, and significantly increased cortical GSH concentration in comparison to the values of these parameters following gentamicin treatment. 4. Histopathologically, the severity of gentamicin-induced renal damage was exacerbated by captopril, and even more so by diltiazem. Simultaneous treatment with gentamicin and either Ca2+ or pyridoxal-5'-phosphate produced only mild focal atrophy of renal tubular epithelium. Control rats had apparently normal histology. 5. In conclusion, captopril and diltiazem, at the doses used, significantly potentiated gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity to a broadly similar extent. Although Ca2+ and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, at the doses used, reduced significantly the severity of some of the manifestations of nephrotoxicity, they were equally ineffective in completely preventing the development of nephrotoxicity.

1. Administration of gentamicin to rats at doses of 20, 40 or 80 mg kg-1 d-1 for 6 days induced nephrotoxicity exhibited by elevated plasma creatinine concentration and a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity in rat kidney cortex. 2. Gentamicin treatment produced significant elevation in plasma total cholesterol amounting to 70% at the 80 mg kg-1 dose. At this dose, the combined cholesterol fractions of low density and very low density lipoproteins increased by more than two-fold. 3. Gentamicin treatment also caused significant increase in plasma triglyceride concentration, while plasma phospholipid levels showed dose-dependent reductions. 4. In another experiment recovery of the aforementioned parameters was assessed 7 and 14 days after the withdrawal of gentamicin, administered at a dose of 40 mg kg-1 d-1 for 6 days. After 7 days from drug discontinuation, both plasma creatinine and total cholesterol concentrations returned to the control levels, while triglyceride concentration was still significantly higher than control 14 days after stoppage of treatment. 5. Plasma phospholipid concentration and the activity of cortical alkaline phosphatase were still significantly lower than control 14 days after cessation of the treatment.

1. The effects of graded doses of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists clonidine, tizanidine and BHT-920, and the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine and idazoxan, on gastrointestinal transit were investigated in mice using the charcoal meal test. 2. The agonists produced significant and dose-dependent decreases in gastrointestinal transit, and the antagonists produced the opposite effect. In affecting the gastrointestinal transit, clonidine (1 mg/kg) was as effective as tizanidine (12 mg/kg) and BHT-920 (40 mg/kg), while yohimbine (2 mg/kg) was as effective as idazoxan (1 mg/kg). 3. Morphine (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg) significantly inhibited gastrointestinal transit. This effect was significantly reversed by the co-administration of yohimbine (2 mg/kg) and idazoxan (1 mg/kg). 4. The acute administration of glucose (5.04 g/kg, i.p.) potentiated the inhibition of gastrointestinal transit produced by clonidine (1 mg/kg) and BHT-920 (40 mg/kg). Glucose treatment, however, had no significant effect on the increase in gastrointestinal transit induced by yohimbine (2 mg/kg) or idazoxan (1 mg/kg). 5. Castor oil (0.25 mL/mouse, orally) induced diarrhoea in saline-treated animals within about 45 min. Clonidine (1 mg/kg), tizanidine (12 mg/kg) and BHT-920 (40 mg/kg) delayed the occurrence of diarrhoea to 2.1, 1.2 and 1.4 h, respectively.

Experiments were carried out to determine the advantage in using isolated rat jejunum in the assay of acetylcholine (ACh) in preference to other tissues. Rat jejunum was found to be sensitive to ACh 0.01 micrograms, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) 0.2 to 0.5 microgram and least sensitive to histamine. (Ach greater than 5HT greater than histamine).

The present work examines the effect of treatment of rats with graded doses of the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin on the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity in the kidney, and DAO activity, creatinine and magnesium (Mg) in the plasma. The animals were given the antibiotic intramuscularly in doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day for 6 days, and were killed 24 hr after the last injection. In another experiment rats were injected intramuscularly with gentamicin at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day for 6 days and were killed 1, 7 or 14 days after the last injection, and the above parameters were measured. Gentamicin reduced the body weights of rats in a dose-dependent manner. The weight reductions were most marked on days 4, 5 and 6 of the treatment. The body weights gradually recovered on withdrawing of the drug, and by day 14, they were not significantly different from those of the controls. Gentamicin produced significant and dose-dependent decreases in the renal concentration of GSH. Seven and 14 days after withdrawing the drug, the GSH concentrations were still significantly below that of the controls. Plasma Mg concentrations were significantly decreased, and plasma creatinine concentrations significantly increased by gentamicin. These effects persisted 7 and 14 days after cessation of treatment. Plasma DAO activity was not detectable in the control or gentamicin-treated rats. In the renal cortex, the activity of the enzyme, measured 1, 7 and 14 days after the treatment, was not significantly different from that of the control. Histopathologically, the drug produced dose-dependent proximal renal tubular necrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cysteamine administration to rats is followed by a high incidence of duodenal ulceration. The effect of cysteamine on the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO, histaminase) in the duodenal mucosa of the rat was investigated. Rats were injected subcutaneously with cysteamine on 2 successive days at doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/100 g body weight and killed 24 h after the second dose. The results indicated that cysteamine at a dose of 40 mg/100 g body weight inhibited enzyme activity by about 27% (p less than 0.05). Lower doses of cysteamine did not significantly affect enzyme activity. In another experiment, rats were injected subcutaneously with either saline (control) or cysteamine at a single dose of 40 mg/100 g body weight and killed 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 60 h thereafter. The ulcerogen produced progressive reductions in enzyme activity, which were significant at 12 h (22% reduction) and 24 h (25% reduction). At 60 h, enzyme activity was not significantly different from that of control.

Duodenal ulceration in rats was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of cysteamine at doses of 7, 28, 42 and 65 mg/100 g body weight 24 h before killing. Duodenal ulceration induced by cysteamine was dose-dependent. However, at 65 mg/100 g body weight, 5 of 6 animals died within 24 h. The concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid were measured in the duodenal homogenates of cysteamine-treated rats. The ulcerogen, at doses of 28 and 42 mg/100 g body weight, significantly reduced the GSH concentration. At a dose of 28 mg/100 g body weight, however, it did not significantly affect the duodenal ascorbic acid concentration. Pretreatment of rats with daily intramuscular injections of cysteine at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg or ascorbic acid at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 7 days had no significant effect on the duodenal ulceration produced by cysteamine (28 mg/100 g body weight), although each pretreatment significantly raised the duodenal concentrations of GSH and ascorbic acid respectively, in control rats, and to a lesser extent in cysteamine-treated animals.

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to the hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) and to surface antigen (anti-HBs), was investigated, using sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) systems, among patients with different clinical entities of chronic liver disease in Kuwait, and compared to a control blood donor population. 81% of patients and 44% of the controls had at lease one HBV marker. 24% of patients, but non of the controls had both HBsAg and a high titre of anti-HBc in the absence of anti-HBs, suggesting a chronic infection. 31% of our patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, 20% with cryptogenic cirrhosis and chronic active liver disease and 60% with hepatocellular carcinoma had these two markers. HBV antigenaemia was significantly more prevalent among male than among female patients and was particularly high among those less than 35 years old. The high prevalence of the various HBV markers among our patients suggests that HBV is a major factor in the development of chronic liver disease in our area. Furthermore, in view of a high prevalence of antigenaemia in patients with hepato-splenic schistosomiasis, HBV infection must play a concomitant role in the development of more serious form of chronic liver disease among such patients.

We present results of a light and electron microscopical study of the developing hamster gonad. Two main problems have been examined: the source of somatic cells contributed to the developing gonad and the possible presence of nuage in germ cells. Nuage has been previously reported in hamster oocytes at meiosis; its possible presence at earlier stages and in male germ cells, especially meiotic spermatocytes, was investigated. The mesonephros was found to be the major source of somatic cells to the developing gonad, though a contribution from the coelomic epithelium could not be excluded, and interstitial tissue appeared to arise from mesenchymal cells. The presence of nuage associated with nuclear pores and mitochondria in hamster oocytes from Day 15 p.c. onwards has been confirmed. New findings are the association of nuage with intercellular bridges and its presence at earlier stages, including Day 8 p.c., and in male germ cells especially at the time of the entry to meiosis.