A STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE,ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF CERVICAL SCREENING AMONG FEMALE PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Cancer is the third leading cause of death In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is situated in the Arabian Gulf. A national programme for cervical cancer screening is likely to be implemented in the future. In this study, we assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of UAE female primary care physicians of cervical screening through a self-administered questionnaire. Of the 98 physicians who participated in the study only 40% reported ever having performed a Pap smear. In the study, we identified various training needs, and a training programme on cervical screening currently is being developed based on the results of this study.     

The essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius selectively blocks histamine‐augmented neuronal excitability in guinea‐pig celiac ganglion

Objectives Croton nepetaefolius is a medicinal plant useful against intestinal disorders. In this study, we elucidate the effects of its essential oil (EOCN) on sympathetic neurons, with emphasis on the interaction of EOCN‐ and histamine‐induced effects. Methods The effects of EOCN and histamine were studied in guinea‐pig celiac ganglion in vitro. Key findings Histamine significantly altered the resting potential (E_m) and the input resistance (R_i) of phasic neurons (from ?56.6 ± 1.78 mV and 88.6 ± 11.43 MΩ, to ?52.9 ± 1.96 mV and 108.6 ± 11.00 MΩ, respectively). E_m, R_i and the histamine‐induced alterations of these parameters were not affected by 200 µg/ml EOCN. The number of action potentials produced by a 1‐s (two‐times threshold) depolarising current and the current threshold (I_th) for eliciting action potentials (rheobase) were evaluated. Number of action potentials and I_th were altered by histamine (from 2.6 ± 0.43 action potentials and 105.4 ± 11.15 pA to 6.2 ± 1.16 action potentials and 67.3 ± 8.21 pA, respectively). EOCN alone did not affect number of action potentials and I_th but it fully blocked the histamine‐induced modifications of number of action potentials and I_th. All the effects produced by histamine were abolished by pyrilamine. Conclusions EOCN selectively blocked histamine‐induced modulation of active membrane properties.     

A review of the gross anatomy, functions, pathology, and clinical uses of the buccal fat pad

The buccal fat pad is a trigone-shaped adipose tissue located in the cheek that assumes numerous functional and aesthetic clinical uses. It has been studied extensively within the past four decades, and its use in repairing common and debilitating oral defects is the motive for continued research on this topic. It is vital to understand the etiology of any oral defect or of a lesion of the buccal fat pad, for a misdiagnosis can prevent effective treatment of the underlying problem. In this review, we describe the embryology and anatomy of the buccal fat and its association with clinical condition and clinical procedures.     

Serum Galanin in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Child Psychiatry & Human Development - Recent studies have attempted to measure several biomarkers to understand the complex interactions of the anatomic systems that may be involved in autism...     

Doctors' service orientation in public, private, and foreign hospitals

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to propose a doctors' service orientation (DSO) scale and uses it to compare the services received in public, private and foreign hospitals in a developing country from the patient's perspective. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The scale was derived from the service quality literature and qualitative research. A questionnaire was designed next. Data were collected from patients who had used the services of doctors in a hospital. FINDINGS: The scale demonstrated appropriate psychometric properties. Two clear patterns emerge from the study results: on 10 out of 12 measures of doctors' service orientation, there was no significant difference in their perceived behaviors between public and private hospitals and foreign doctors were "always" rated significantly higher. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This study focused on one major city because of time and resource constraints. The findings are thus not generalizable to hospitals across the country. Also, because of translation and retranslation issues, the scale ought to be further tested for wider use. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The scale may be used periodically in a comprehensive quality assurance program to exhort doctors to become more service oriented and to improve their performance over time.