Accomplishments and challenges in tobacco control endeavors – Report from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Objectives

To review the tobacco governance and national responsibility for control, and existing countering measures to reduce the tobacco use among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.

A randomized, parallel study of the safety and efficacy of 45 mg primaquine versus 75 mg bulaquine as gametocytocidal agents in adults with blood schizonticide-responsive uncomplicated falciparum malaria [ISCRTN50134587]

Background  

The WHO recommends that adults with uncomplicated P. falciparum successfully treated with a blood schizonticide receive a single dose of primaquine (PQ) 45 mg as a gametocytocidal agent. An earlier pilot study suggested that 75 mg of bulaquine (BQ), of which PQ is a major metabolite, may be a useful alternate to PQ.     

利福昔明：有效维持肝性脑病缓解

肝性脑病是的一种慢性消耗性的肝硬化并发症。利福昔明（rifaximin）,一种口服的抗生素,治疗急性肝性脑病的疗效已有报道,但其预防此病疗效未知。     

Sputum dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine level as a novel airway inflammatory marker in asthmatic children

Introduction: Pulmonary surfactant is a unique mixture of lipids and surfactant‐specific proteins. Phosphatidylcholine comprises almost 80% of the total surfactant lipids, about half of which is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Alteration of surfactant composition and function is documented with various airway or lung parenchyma disorders. Objective: To assess sputum concentration of DPPC as a major component of airways surfactant in asthmatic children compared to conventional airway inflammatory markers. Methods: This case control study included 68 well‐known asthmatic children of different grades of severity and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched normal children as controls. All children were subjected to thorough clinical examination, pulmonary function tests, sputum induction and processing for cytology, DPPC level and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) level assessment. Results: Elevated DPPC levels were evident in all sputum samples of asthmatic children (mean value 626.6 ± 189.7 mcg/mL) compared to controls (mean value 49.3 ± 20.1 mcg/mL). Significant negative correlations (r = ?0.83, ?0.752 and ?0.384) were found between asthmatics sputum DPPC levels and pulmonary function test parameters [% of forced expiratory volume in first second, % of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory flow rate over 25%–75% part of FVC], respectively. Meanwhile, significant positive correlations were evident between asthmatics sputum DPPC levels and the sputum inflammatory cells and their sputum ECP levels. Conclusion: Elevated DPPC levels are evident in induced sputum of all asthmatic children and they are significantly related to sputum ECP levels and pulmonary function test parameters. Nevertheless, the value of DPPC estimation in the clinical management of children with asthma remains to be determined. Please cite this paper as: Shaheen MA, Mahmoud MA, Abdel Aziz MM, El Morsy HI and Abdel Khalik KA. Sputum dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine level as a novel airway inflammatory marker in asthmatic children. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 95–101.     

Family planning KAP survey in Gaza

This study explores the reproductive attitudes, contraceptive use, demand for family planning and related topics of a representative sample of the female population of reproductive age resident in a Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip. A cluster sample of 841 resident women of reproductive age (15-49 years) was interviewed in their homes. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed using BMDP software. 98% of the interviewees favour family planning and 88% plan to use a contraceptive in the future. However, 52% of the women at risk do not use any contraception because of their husband's opposition, fear of side effects or lack of knowledge. The risk of having seven or more children is positively associated with a woman's low educational level and husband's desire for more than seven children. Despite favourable attitudes regarding family planning, there is ignorance and the prevalence of contraception use is low. There is a gap between fertility preference and achievement.     

Enhanced transcription factor DNA binding and gene expression induced by arsenite or arsenate in renal slices

Although the kidney represents a target for the accumulation and toxicity of arsenic, little is known about the molecular targets of arsenic in this organ. Therefore, these studies were designed to examine the molecular impact of arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)] at low (nanomolar) concentrations. Precision-cut rabbit renal cortical slices were challenged with As(III) or As(V) for up to 8 h. Neither form of the metal induced overt cytotoxicity as assessed by intracellular K+ levels over this time period at concentrations from 0.01-10 microM. In addition, no alterations in the expression of Hsp 60, 70, or 90 were observed. However, induction of heme oxygenase-1 (Hsp 32) was seen following a 4-h challenge with As(III), but not with As(V). As(III) and As(V) induced DNA binding of AP-1 at 2- and 4-h exposure; following a 6-h exposure there was no difference. Although no alteration in the DNA binding activity of ATF-2 was induced by As(III) or As(V), both forms enhanced the DNA binding activity of Elk-1. Enhanced DNA binding activity of AP-1 and Elk-1 correlated with increased gene expression of c-fos, but not c-jun, at 2 h. c-myc gene expression was also induced by As(III) and As(V), albeit at a later time point (6 h). These results suggest that acute arsenic challenge, by either As(III) or As(V), is associated with discrete alterations in the activity of signaling pathways and gene expression in renal tissue.      

Human chorionic gonadotrophin-beta gene sequences in women with disorders of HCG production

Women with recurrent abortion, primary unexplained infertility, and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) manifest disordered human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) secretion. Mutations in the HCG beta/luteinizing hormone (LH) beta gene complex could cause aberrant HCG production in these disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HCG beta gene deletions occur in women with recurrent abortion or primary unexplained infertility, and whether HCG beta gene duplications are present in women with GTN. DNA was extracted from 10 patients with unexplained recurrent abortion, 10 patients with unexplained primary infertility, 12 patients with GTN, three partners of women with GTN, and 30 controls. Southern blots were constructed and hybridized with DNA probes for HCG beta-5 and the LH beta gene. No gene deletions were identified in patients with recurrent abortion or primary unexplained infertility. Likewise, no gene duplications were identified in women with GTN. A previously described Mbol restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was identified in both patients and controls. A new Pstl RFLP was also characterized, but was present in patients and controls. Deletion/duplication mutations in the HCG beta/LH beta gene complex do not appear to be common causes of aberrant HCG production in humans with these disorders.