摘要:

By the screening of 345 consecutive cord blood samples for hemoglobin Bart’s at birth, the incidence of detectable α-thalassemia among newborn Kuwaitis was estimated at 4.6% (16/ 345). To determine the genotypes, DNA analysis was performed by Southern blot hybridization for the 16 samples that screened positive and for 20 consecutive samples that were negative. Of the 16 samples, 6 (1.73%) contained one gene deletion (-α/αα) and 9 (2.6%) contained deletion of two (–α/ –α) α-globin genes. In addition, a considerable proportion (4/ 20) of the consecutive samples with no detectable Hb Bart’s showed a silent carrier genotype (–α/αα). Using these data, the frequency of (-α/) haplotype is estimated at 0.16%. We conclude that the screening of α-thalassemia at birth by Hb Bart’s is inadequate for the Kuwaiti population due to the high proportion of samples with one gene deletion (–α/αα) that conta

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157468

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In a prospective study of acute head injuries in Kuwait, 53 patients with moderate to severe head injuries were managed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Al-Adan Hospital during a 6-month period in 1988. There were 50 male and 3 female patients. Children below the age of 15 years accounted for 38% of the patients. Patients below the age of 40 years accounted for 85%. Road traffic accidents (RTA) and falls from heights (FFH) were the two main causes of the injuries. Seventy percent of the patients sustained associated injuries involving the face, upper limbs and chest. The few abdominal injuries recorded were comparatively serious. Seventeen patients had severe head injuries with Glasgow Coma Scores (GCS) of between 3 and 8 upon admission. All other patients had GCS of 9-13 upon admission. Fifty-one percent had skull fractures. Skull fractures were associated with FFH more often than with RTA. In 54% of cases, a CT scan of the brain gave positive intracranial findings. Among these, 60% were various types of intracranial hematomas. There were 6 deaths among the 53 victims. Of the 47 survivors, 20 made good recoveries, 19 were moderately disabled, 7 were severely disabled and 1 person remained in a vegetative state.

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157469

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Prescriptions for 116 psychiatric inpatients were studied. About a third of the patients had received three psychotropic drugs and more than half had a combination of four or more. Neuroleptic drugs were prescribed for all patients regardless of the diagnoses. Anticholinergic drugs were prescribed in excess, without providing information on side effects or the duration of neuroleptic treatment. Half of the patients treated with antidepressants had diagnoses other than affective disorders. Most of the p.r.n. medications were administered on nurses’ requests, without medical indications. Some underlying technical and administrative aspects of polypharmacy are discussed. Ways to improve prescribing habits are suggeste

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157470

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

This study reports the results of the conversion from cyclosporin A (CyA) to FK506 of 2 young male Kuwaiti patients who had received allograft liver transplants. For 6 years after transplant, the patients were maintained on CyA but were converted to FK506 (5 mg b.i.d.) after showing evidence of rejection. After conversion, hepatocellular enzymes, aspartate and alanine transaminases declined to normal levels. Bile cannulicular enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyltransferase also decreased. This indicated rescue of the graft. In both patients, dose-dependent side effects, including headaches, anorexia and vomiting, declined within 2 months from the start of treatment with FK506. The dose of FK506 was reduced from 5.0 to 2.5 mg b.i.d. The study shows that FK506 is an effective immunosuppressant that has proven efficacious in the rescue of liver allografts after initial CyA therapy

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157471

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The effect of low-intensity microwave radiation on the regeneration of an axonotmised facial nerve was studied in 40 male Wistar rats. A compression of 40 ± 3 N was applied to the extramastoid portion of the nerve trunk for 10 min. After the release of compression, 20 animals were irradiated in the far field for 2 h per day at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and an incident power density of 18.2 ± 1.4mW/cm2 (SAR 1.4 W/kg). The remaining animals were sham-irradiated and used as controls. The effect of irradiation treatment was assessed by determining the time at which recovery started by morphometric analysis and by the restoration of motor function. Irradiated animals recovered earlier than control animals and possessed a greater number of Schwann cells after 4 and 8 days. There was a significant increase in the relative number of myelinated nerve fibers after 8, 12 and 16 days of treatment. The average thickness of myelin sheaths was significantly greater in irradiated animals at 12 days. The difference observed between treated and control animals in the morphologic parameters suggests that irradiation treatments have promoted recovery through enhancement of nerve regeneratio

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157472

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Physiological responses to exercise were measured in 39 males (19–45 years old) working as cleaners in the Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University. There was a graded reduction in maximum oxygen intake (VO2max) of smokers. This reduction was greatest in those who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day. A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) was recorded in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) between smokers and nonsmokers. The results of this study provide quantitative evidence of the adverse effect of smoking on physical working capacity and show the impairment of ventilatory capacity caused by smokin

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157473

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Transport dynamics in the human placental lobule have been investigated in vitro using a dual perfusion technique. Buffered oxygenated Earle’s salt solution was used as the perfusate. Dynamic transport function was studied by the use of novel transport parameters in short-term experiments of 5 min duration. Differential transport rates of tritiated water averaged 0.42, 1.05 and 2.68 min, respectively, for 10, 50 and 90% of radioactivity efflux in the fetal vein in 5 perfusions. Inulin radioactivity was not detected in the fetal vein in any of the 5 experiments, indicating the absence of transport in our perfusion conditions. It is concluded that the new parameters employed could be used successfully for studying transport dynamics using varying reference substances and in different experimental conditions or pathological state

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157474

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts are uncommon but potentially life-threatening. In this case study, an infant with recurrent wheezing and severe respiratory distress is described. The clinical course of his illness was initially suggestive of bronchial asthma. His poor response to bronchodilators during his last hospital stay prompted a search for a possible alternative diagnosis. Radiological imaging of the chest revealed a mediastinal mass pressing on the trachea. The mass was surgically excised and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst. The child continues to be asymptomatic 18 months after surgery.

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157475

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

There is a well-known association between repeated cesarean sections and placenta praevia accreta. Bladder invasion is a rare, advanced grade of this type of placenta that represents a tremendous hazard to both the mother and fetus. Two patients with placenta praevia accreta are reported here as well as general statistics of the incidence of placenta accreta at Kuwait’s Maternity Hospital. One case, managed conservatively, had a good outcome, while the other case with placenta percreta invading the bladder died. Also included is a review of the literature with special emphasis on antenatal diagnosis, intraoperative and postoperative management. The treatment of such cases, varying from a conservative approach to a radical approach, is guided by the severity of placental involvement, the grade of placental invasion, and the clinical experience of the surgeon. In either approach, the aim is to control bleeding and maintain continuous support to the quickly depleting intravascular volume secondary to the profuse hemorrhag

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157476

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:1011-7571    

DOI:10.1159/000157477

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1992

数据来源: Karger