Global status of visceral leishmanial infection among blood donors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Transmission of Leishmania through transfusion has been reported from various Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) endemic areas of the world. The true burden of Leishmania infection in blood donors remains generally unknown. Thus, the present systematic review attempted to determine the global prevalence of Leishmania infection among blood donors.

Students’ attitude toward use of over the counter medicines during exams in Saudi Arabia

Purpose

To explore the use of over the counter (OTC) medicines among students during exams in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Method

A cross-sectional study was designed; using a self-administered twenty-two item online questionnaire for the students’ convenience and easy response disclosure. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 13®.

Results

A total of N = 1596 students participated in this survey, of whom 829 (51.9%) were university students and 767 (48.1%) were high school students. Overall, 80.0% of the respondents disclosed the use of OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for headache and pain relief. In addition, other substances used during the exams were Energy Drinks (5.0%), Flu Medication (5.0%), Vitamins (5.0%) and Antibiotics (5.0%). Female students were found to be more knowledgeable about safety issues concerning the use of OTC medicines (5.11 ± 1.27, p = <0.001) than male students. Ease in access to OTC medicine, availability of pharmacist consultation and advertisement in print and electronic media were the main factors disclosed by the respondents that may result in an increase in the use of OTC products. The use of OTC medicines was generally higher among female students (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The use of OTC medication during exams was more among high school and university students. Gender, age and educational institution were found significantly affecting the use of OTC medicines during exams.     

Nutritional status of school children aged 6–10 years in United Arab Emirates: Comparison with children from different ethnic origins

A field survey was conducted to study the nutritional status of UAE children in selected Emirates in United Arab Emirates (UAE) as compared to others of different ethnic groups and from different countries. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were collected on 1447 children aged 6–10 years from the UAE National population and from Egyptian, Jordanian, Sudanese, and Omani children living in the same country. The indices studied were weight for age, height for age, and weight for height. The cut‐off points used to indicate mild and moderate malnutrition were taken as values below ‐1 SD and ‐2 SD respectively of a reference population. The United States National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards were used.

Results showed that children of UAE Nationals suffered from both stunting and wasting in the four Emirates studied with the highest prevalence in the Emirate of Ajman. Comparisons of anthropometric data for UAE children with those from other nationalities living in UAE, showed that ethnic origin affected the centile and Z‐score distribution of anthropometric indices. A higher percentage of Omani and UAE Nationals fell in the lower centile and Z‐score ranges as compared to children from other ethnic backgrounds. Within the UAE the observed overall levels of malnutrition could be attributed to noneconomic socio‐cultural factors which may also constitute important determinants explaining the differences in nutritional status between UAE Nationals and the other ethnic groups studied. Further studies are needed in order to identify the underlying nutritional and health factors which led to the observed pattern of growth.     

Scrotal leiomyoma: An uncommon cause of chronic scrotal swelling

Leiomyoma is a benign tumor that arises from smooth muscle. It may be encountered at any part of the body especially the uterus. However, scrotal localization is very uncommon, hence it often requires radiologic and pathology correlation to establish an accurate diagnosis and make optimal decisions for subsequent treatment. We present a case of an 82-years-old male, presenting with a left scrotal mass. Ultrasound and MRI demonstrated a left paratesticular mass. Surgery was then indicated and pathology results were consistent with a scrotal leiomyoma.     

Primary mucosal melanoma of the sinonasal tract: Report of 18 patients and analysis of 1077 patients in the literature

The present study aimed at reporting on the characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of 18 cases of nasosinusal mucosa melanoma, and do a literature review on the subject.Methods: between 1995 and 2005, 18 patients consecutively diagnosed with nasosinusal mucosa melanoma were managed in our institution. We reviewed the literature in PubMed and Scopus in order to find the main series from studies associated with this topic. We found a total of 35 series, involving 1,077 patients with nasosinusal mucosa melanoma.Results: we found 16 men and 2 women, with age at presentation between 51 and 80 years (median of 58 years). All these patients were submitted to surgical excision followed by radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. The survival median was 15 months, and the 5-year general survival had a percentage value of 23%. Considering our univariate analysis: tumor staging and complete remission after initial treatment were deemed relevant prognostic factors. Nonetheless, considering the multivariate analysis, only disease stage was statistically significant.Conclusion: nasosinusal melanoma is a rare and aggressive tumor, with high loco-regional and distant failure rates, and poor treatment outcomes. Notwithstanding, in a literature review we found significant improvements considering the 5-year survival for recent series when compared to previously reported ones.     

Effect of human amniotic membrane on anastomosis leakage in dog model

One of the major concerns in rectal cancer surgery and complicated anastomosis is anastomosis breakdown and leakage. For decades, radiation (as neoadjuvant or adjuv ant therapy) was known as a risk factor for anastomosis leakage. Diverting loop ileostomy has been usually employed to divert the fecal flow and protect complicated anastomosis. However, there is a high rate of complications related to diverting loop ileostomy and its closure. This experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of human amniotic membrane on colonic anastomosis in dogs that underwent preoperative radiation therapy. In this prospective controlled animal trial study, a total of ten male cross-breed dogs aged 6–8 months and weighing 10–15 kg were randomly assigned in to two groups of five dogs. Group 1 with five dogs received 10 Gy of external radiation preoperatively, while the second didn’t receive radiation. After anesthesia and exploration, about 8 cm above the dentate line, the bowel was cut and end-to-end anastomosis was done in two layers hand sewn technique. HAM measuring 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm was wrapped around the anastomosis and sutured with vicryl 3-0. In each group, one of the dogs died. The non-parametric Mann—Whitney test was used to compare the two groups. Two-tailed P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Cross sections of the healed anastomosis were scored according to modified scoring system. Histological evaluation of both groups demonstrated ulceration of the mucosa with infiltration of the acute and chronic inflammatory cells as well as granulation tissue formation. The healing starts by fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. A thin fibrotic tissue was formed between the serosa and patch graft. (P > 0.05, i.e., healing in both irradiated and non-irradiated groups was the same). Unfavorable effects of radiotherapy and loop ileostomy may be resolved with application of human amniotic membrane, which influences anastomosis healing and eliminates the need for ileostomy insertion.