Vaginal versus caesarean delivery: an institutional experience from North India

Background: The purpose of this study was to recognise and evaluate the common maternal concerns that emerge following vaginal and caesarean deliveries. Methods: In this retrospective study, hospital records of 300 pregnant patients who delivered in our hospital between July 2021 to December 2021 were analysed. Results: In total of 300 patients, 110 had caesarean and 190 had vaginal delivery, 16 (14.5%) patients developed wound infection in caesarean and 6 (3.15%) in vaginal delivery, 12 patients developed post-partum haemorrhage after undergoing vaginal delivery and 6 patients after caesarean. There were 2 deaths reported in caesarean mode and only 1 in vaginal mode of delivery. Conclusions: The study's findings indicate that caesarean had greater rates of maternal problems than vaginal delivery did.

Maternal age and pregnancy outcomes in elderly mothers

Background: Aim of the study was to compare pregnancy outcomes between women aged 40 or older and those aged 20 to 39 years. Methods: The retrospective cohort study was conducted at SKIMS medical college, Srinagar between March 2017 to April 2019 in which hospital records of 170 patients who delivered during the study period were analysed. Results: Among patients of 40 years old and above, obstetric complications are significantly more frequent, with an increased risk of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and caesarean delivery. Fetal risk of IUGR, prematurity was significantly greater in patients 40 years of age or older. Conclusions: A 40-year-old or older mother is more likely to experience medical issues and have more invasive deliveries. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between highly advanced maternal age and unfavourable perinatal outcomes such preterm birth and fetal growth restriction.

Comparative analysis of pregnancy complications: primigravida versus multigravida

Background: The study aimed to compare the outcome of pregnancies in a primigravida with multigravida. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Skims Medical College, Srinagar between May 2017 to December 2018 in which hospital records of 135 patients who delivered during the study period were analysed. Results: Majority of primigravida mothers falls in 21-30 years of age group 34 (54.83%), whereas 46 (65.75%) of multigravida were in 31-40 years. Incidence rate of gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, post-partum haemorrhage, placenta previa, oligohydramnios, pre term labour, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was higher in primigravida when compared to multigravida. Conclusions: Despite the fact that primigravida had the majority of the issues, both groups experienced considerable issues. Therefore, in order to promote maternal health, women should get information about appropriate medical care as well as counselling. It will help to prevent unfavourable pregnancy outcomes.

Fungal decomposition of chicken-feather waste in submerged and solid-state fermentation / Decomposição fúngica de resíduos de pena de frango em fermentação submersa e de estado sólido

Poultry industry is expanding rapidly and producing million tons of feather waste annually. Massive production of keratinaceous byproducts in the form of industrial wastes throughout the world necessitates its justified utilization. Chemical treatment of keratin waste is proclaimed as an eco-destructive approach by various researchers since it generates secondary pollutants. Keratinase released by a variety of microbes (bacteria and fungi) can be used for the effective treatment of keratin waste. Microbial degradation of keratin waste is an emerging and eco-friendly approach and offers dual benefits, i.e., treatment of recalcitrant pollutant (keratin) and procurement of a commercially important enzyme (keratinase). This study involves the isolation, characterization, and potential utility of fungal species for the degradation of chicken-feather waste through submerged and solid-state fermentation. The isolated fungus was identified and characterized as Aspergillus (A.) flavus. In a trial of 30 days, it was appeared that 74 and 8% feather weight was reduced through sub-merged and solid-state fermentation, respectively by A. flavus. The pH of the growth media in submerged fermentation was changed from 4.8 to 8.35. The exploited application of keratinolytic microbes is, therefore, recommended for the treatment of keratinaceous wastes to achieve dual benefits of remediation.

A indústria avícola está se expandindo rapidamente e produzindo milhões de toneladas de resíduos de penas anualmente. A produção massiva de subprodutos queratinosos na forma de resíduos agrícolas e industriais em todo o mundo exige sua utilização justificada. O tratamento químico de resíduos de queratina é proclamado como uma abordagem ecodestrutiva por vários pesquisadores, uma vez que gera poluentes secundários. A queratinase liberada por uma variedade de micróbios (bactérias e fungos) pode ser usada para o tratamento eficaz de resíduos de queratina. A degradação microbiana de resíduos de queratina é uma abordagem emergente e ecológica e oferece benefícios duplos, ou seja, tratamento de poluente recalcitrante (queratina) e obtenção de uma enzima comercialmente importante (queratinase). Este estudo envolve o isolamento, caracterização e utilidade potencial de espécies de fungos para a degradação de resíduos de penas de frango por meio da fermentação submersa e em estado sólido. O fungo isolado foi identificado e caracterizado como Aspergillus (A.) flavus. Em um ensaio de 30 dias, constatou-se que 74% e 8% do peso das penas foram reduzidos por A. flavus, respectivamente, por meio da fermentação submersa e em estado sólido. O pH do meio de crescimento em fermentação submersa foi alterado de 4,8 para 8,35. A aplicação explorada de micróbios queratinolíticos é, portanto, recomendada para o tratamento de resíduos ceratinosos para obter benefícios duplos de remediação.

Range of factors in the reduction of hyperhydricity associated with in vitro shoots of Salvia santolinifolia Bioss / Gama de fatores na redução da hiperidricidade associada a brotos in vitro de Salvia santolinifolia Bioss

Abstract Hyperhydricity is a serious physiological disorder and affects In vitro propagation of many plants and as well of Salvia santolinifolia. The donor material to initiate the in vitro culture was the callus taken from the in vitro shoots produced on Murashig and Skoogs (MS) medium at 4.0 mg/l BA. This callus formed numerous hyperhydric shoots on culturing upon the medium of the same composition. The aim was to systematically evaluate the effect of cytokinins (Benzyladnine (BA) and N6-(-2-isopentenyl) adenine (2iP), culture vessels magnitude, medium solidification, source of nitrogen and calcium chloride for the alleviation of hyperhydricity. In the tissue cultures of S. santolinifolia BA and 2iP induced severe hyperhydricity, when other factors i.e. culture vessels magnitude and a suitable concentration of agar, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3) & calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H2O) were not optimized. After 30 days' culture, we observed 83.82% hyperhydric shoots at increased level (1.5 mg/l 2iP) and 81.59% at decreased levels (1.0 mg/l 2iP). On the other hand, hyperhydricity percentage at decreased (0.4%) and at increased (0.8%) levels of agar were 72.37% and 39.08%, respectively. MS medium modification with NH4NO3 (412 mg/l), KNO3 (475 mg/l) and CaCl2.2H2O (880 mg/l) was found the best medium to reduced hyperhydricity (23.6%).

Resumo A hiperidricidade é um distúrbio fisiológico sério e afeta a propagação in vitro de muitas plantas e também da Salvia santolinifolia. O material doador para iniciar a cultura in vitro foi o calo retirado dos brotos in vitro produzidos em meio Murashig e Skoogs (MS) a 4,0 mg / l BA. Esse calo formou numerosos rebentos hiperídricos em cultura no meio da mesma composição. O objetivo foi avaliar sistematicamente o efeito das citocininas (Benziladnina (BA) e N6 - (- 2-isopentenil) adenina (2iP), magnitude dos vasos de cultura, solidificação do meio, fonte de nitrogênio e cloreto de cálcio para o alívio da hiperidricidade. culturas de tecidos de S. santolinifolia BA e 2iP induziram hiperidricidade severa, quando outros fatores, como magnitude dos vasos de cultura e uma concentração adequada de ágar, nitrato de amônio (NH4NO3), nitrato de potássio (KNO3) e cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2.2H2O), não foram otimizados. Após 30 dias de cultura, observamos 83,82% de brotos hiperídricos em níveis aumentados (1,5 mg / l 2iP) e 81,59% em níveis reduzidos (1,0 mg / l 2iP). Por outro lado, a porcentagem de hiperidricidade diminuiu (0,4%) e em níveis aumentados (0,8%) de ágar foram 72,37% e 39,08%, respectivamente. A modificação do meio MS com NH4NO3 (412 mg / l), KNO3 (475 mg / l) e CaCl2.2H2O (880 mg / l) foi encontrada melhor hiperidricidade média a reduzida (23,6%).

Fungal decomposition of chicken-feather waste in submerged and solid-state fermentation / Decomposição fúngica de resíduos de pena de frango em fermentação submersa e de estado sólido

Abstract Poultry industry is expanding rapidly and producing million tons of feather waste annually. Massive production of keratinaceous byproducts in the form of industrial wastes throughout the world necessitates its justified utilization. Chemical treatment of keratin waste is proclaimed as an eco-destructive approach by various researchers since it generates secondary pollutants. Keratinase released by a variety of microbes (bacteria and fungi) can be used for the effective treatment of keratin waste. Microbial degradation of keratin waste is an emerging and eco-friendly approach and offers dual benefits, i.e., treatment of recalcitrant pollutant (keratin) and procurement of a commercially important enzyme (keratinase). This study involves the isolation, characterization, and potential utility of fungal species for the degradation of chicken-feather waste through submerged and solid-state fermentation. The isolated fungus was identified and characterized as Aspergillus (A.) flavus. In a trial of 30 days, it was appeared that 74 and 8% feather weight was reduced through sub-merged and solid-state fermentation, respectively by A. flavus. The pH of the growth media in submerged fermentation was changed from 4.8 to 8.35. The exploited application of keratinolytic microbes is, therefore, recommended for the treatment of keratinaceous wastes to achieve dual benefits of remediation.

Resumo A indústria avícola está se expandindo rapidamente e produzindo milhões de toneladas de resíduos de penas anualmente. A produção massiva de subprodutos queratinosos na forma de resíduos agrícolas e industriais em todo o mundo exige sua utilização justificada. O tratamento químico de resíduos de queratina é proclamado como uma abordagem ecodestrutiva por vários pesquisadores, uma vez que gera poluentes secundários. A queratinase liberada por uma variedade de micróbios (bactérias e fungos) pode ser usada para o tratamento eficaz de resíduos de queratina. A degradação microbiana de resíduos de queratina é uma abordagem emergente e ecológica e oferece benefícios duplos, ou seja, tratamento de poluente recalcitrante (queratina) e obtenção de uma enzima comercialmente importante (queratinase). Este estudo envolve o isolamento, caracterização e utilidade potencial de espécies de fungos para a degradação de resíduos de penas de frango por meio da fermentação submersa e em estado sólido. O fungo isolado foi identificado e caracterizado como Aspergillus (A.) flavus. Em um ensaio de 30 dias, constatou-se que 74% e 8% do peso das penas foram reduzidos por A. flavus, respectivamente, por meio da fermentação submersa e em estado sólido. O pH do meio de crescimento em fermentação submersa foi alterado de 4,8 para 8,35. A aplicação explorada de micróbios queratinolíticos é, portanto, recomendada para o tratamento de resíduos ceratinosos para obter benefícios duplos de remediação.

Range of factors in the reduction of hyperhydricity associated with in vitro shoots of Salvia santolinifolia Bioss / Gama de fatores na redução da hiperidricidade associada a brotos in vitro de Salvia santolinifolia Bioss

Hyperhydricity is a serious physiological disorder and affects In vitro propagation of many plants and as well of Salvia santolinifolia. The donor material to initiate the in vitro culture was the callus taken from the in vitro shoots produced on Murashig and Skoogs (MS) medium at 4.0 mg/l BA. This callus formed numerous hyperhydric shoots on culturing upon the medium of the same composition. The aim was to systematically evaluate the effect of cytokinins (Benzyladnine (BA) and N6-(-2-isopentenyl) adenine (2iP), culture vessels magnitude, medium solidification, source of nitrogen and calcium chloride for the alleviation of hyperhydricity. In the tissue cultures of S. santolinifolia BA and 2iP induced severe hyperhydricity, when other factors i.e. culture vessels magnitude and a suitable concentration of agar, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3) & calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H2O) were not optimized. After 30 days' culture, we observed 83.82% hyperhydric shoots at increased level (1.5 mg/l 2iP) and 81.59% at decreased levels (1.0 mg/l 2iP). On the other hand, hyperhydricity percentage at decreased (0.4%) and at increased (0.8%) levels of agar were 72.37% and 39.08%, respectively. MS medium modification with NH4NO3 (412 mg/l), KNO3 (475 mg/l) and CaCl2.2H2O (880 mg/l) was found the best medium to reduced hyperhydricity (23.6%).

A hiperidricidade é um distúrbio fisiológico sério e afeta a propagação in vitro de muitas plantas e também da Salvia santolinifolia. O material doador para iniciar a cultura in vitro foi o calo retirado dos brotos in vitro produzidos em meio Murashig e Skoogs (MS) a 4,0 mg / l BA. Esse calo formou numerosos rebentos hiperídricos em cultura no meio da mesma composição. O objetivo foi avaliar sistematicamente o efeito das citocininas (Benziladnina (BA) e N6 - (- 2-isopentenil) adenina (2iP), magnitude dos vasos de cultura, solidificação do meio, fonte de nitrogênio e cloreto de cálcio para o alívio da hiperidricidade. culturas de tecidos de S. santolinifolia BA e 2iP induziram hiperidricidade severa, quando outros fatores, como magnitude dos vasos de cultura e uma concentração adequada de ágar, nitrato de amônio (NH4NO3), nitrato de potássio (KNO3) e cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2.2H2O), não foram otimizados. Após 30 dias de cultura, observamos 83,82% de brotos hiperídricos em níveis aumentados (1,5 mg / l 2iP) e 81,59% em níveis reduzidos (1,0 mg / l 2iP). Por outro lado, a porcentagem de hiperidricidade diminuiu (0,4%) e em níveis aumentados (0,8%) de ágar foram 72,37% e 39,08%, respectivamente. A modificação do meio MS com NH4NO3 (412 mg / l), KNO3 (475 mg / l) e CaCl2.2H2O (880 mg / l) foi encontrada melhor hiperidricidade média a reduzida (23,6%).

Fungal decomposition of chicken-feather waste in submerged and solid-state fermentation

Abstract Poultry industry is expanding rapidly and producing million tons of feather waste annually. Massive production of keratinaceous byproducts in the form of industrial wastes throughout the world necessitates its justified utilization. Chemical treatment of keratin waste is proclaimed as an eco-destructive approach by various researchers since it generates secondary pollutants. Keratinase released by a variety of microbes (bacteria and fungi) can be used for the effective treatment of keratin waste. Microbial degradation of keratin waste is an emerging and eco-friendly approach and offers dual benefits, i.e., treatment of recalcitrant pollutant (keratin) and procurement of a commercially important enzyme (keratinase). This study involves the isolation, characterization, and potential utility of fungal species for the degradation of chicken-feather waste through submerged and solid-state fermentation. The isolated fungus was identified and characterized as Aspergillus (A.) flavus. In a trial of 30 days, it was appeared that 74 and 8% feather weight was reduced through sub-merged and solid-state fermentation, respectively by A. flavus. The pH of the growth media in submerged fermentation was changed from 4.8 to 8.35. The exploited application of keratinolytic microbes is, therefore, recommended for the treatment of keratinaceous wastes to achieve dual benefits of remediation.

Resumo A indústria avícola está se expandindo rapidamente e produzindo milhões de toneladas de resíduos de penas anualmente. A produção massiva de subprodutos queratinosos na forma de resíduos agrícolas e industriais em todo o mundo exige sua utilização justificada. O tratamento químico de resíduos de queratina é proclamado como uma abordagem ecodestrutiva por vários pesquisadores, uma vez que gera poluentes secundários. A queratinase liberada por uma variedade de micróbios (bactérias e fungos) pode ser usada para o tratamento eficaz de resíduos de queratina. A degradação microbiana de resíduos de queratina é uma abordagem emergente e ecológica e oferece benefícios duplos, ou seja, tratamento de poluente recalcitrante (queratina) e obtenção de uma enzima comercialmente importante (queratinase). Este estudo envolve o isolamento, caracterização e utilidade potencial de espécies de fungos para a degradação de resíduos de penas de frango por meio da fermentação submersa e em estado sólido. O fungo isolado foi identificado e caracterizado como Aspergillus (A.) flavus. Em um ensaio de 30 dias, constatou-se que 74% e 8% do peso das penas foram reduzidos por A. flavus, respectivamente, por meio da fermentação submersa e em estado sólido. O pH do meio de crescimento em fermentação submersa foi alterado de 4,8 para 8,35. A aplicação explorada de micróbios queratinolíticos é, portanto, recomendada para o tratamento de resíduos ceratinosos para obter benefícios duplos de remediação.

Range of factors in the reduction of hyperhydricity associated with in vitro shoots of Salvia santolinifolia Bioss

Abstract Hyperhydricity is a serious physiological disorder and affects In vitro propagation of many plants and as well of Salvia santolinifolia. The donor material to initiate the in vitro culture was the callus taken from the in vitro shoots produced on Murashig and Skoogs (MS) medium at 4.0 mg/l BA. This callus formed numerous hyperhydric shoots on culturing upon the medium of the same composition. The aim was to systematically evaluate the effect of cytokinins (Benzyladnine (BA) and N6-(-2-isopentenyl) adenine (2iP), culture vessels magnitude, medium solidification, source of nitrogen and calcium chloride for the alleviation of hyperhydricity. In the tissue cultures of S. santolinifolia BA and 2iP induced severe hyperhydricity, when other factors i.e. culture vessels magnitude and a suitable concentration of agar, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3) & calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H2O) were not optimized. After 30 days culture, we observed 83.82% hyperhydric shoots at increased level (1.5 mg/l 2iP) and 81.59% at decreased levels (1.0 mg/l 2iP). On the other hand, hyperhydricity percentage at decreased (0.4%) and at increased (0.8%) levels of agar were 72.37% and 39.08%, respectively. MS medium modification with NH4NO3 (412 mg/l), KNO3 (475 mg/l) and CaCl2.2H2O (880 mg/l) was found the best medium to reduced hyperhydricity (23.6%).

Resumo A hiperidricidade é um distúrbio fisiológico sério e afeta a propagação in vitro de muitas plantas e também da Salvia santolinifolia. O material doador para iniciar a cultura in vitro foi o calo retirado dos brotos in vitro produzidos em meio Murashig e Skoogs (MS) a 4,0 mg / l BA. Esse calo formou numerosos rebentos hiperídricos em cultura no meio da mesma composição. O objetivo foi avaliar sistematicamente o efeito das citocininas (Benziladnina (BA) e N6 - (- 2-isopentenil) adenina (2iP), magnitude dos vasos de cultura, solidificação do meio, fonte de nitrogênio e cloreto de cálcio para o alívio da hiperidricidade. culturas de tecidos de S. santolinifolia BA e 2iP induziram hiperidricidade severa, quando outros fatores, como magnitude dos vasos de cultura e uma concentração adequada de ágar, nitrato de amônio (NH4NO3), nitrato de potássio (KNO3) e cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2.2H2O), não foram otimizados. Após 30 dias de cultura, observamos 83,82% de brotos hiperídricos em níveis aumentados (1,5 mg / l 2iP) e 81,59% em níveis reduzidos (1,0 mg / l 2iP). Por outro lado, a porcentagem de hiperidricidade diminuiu (0,4%) e em níveis aumentados (0,8%) de ágar foram 72,37% e 39,08%, respectivamente. A modificação do meio MS com NH4NO3 (412 mg / l), KNO3 (475 mg / l) e CaCl2.2H2O (880 mg / l) foi encontrada melhor hiperidricidade média a reduzida (23,6%).

A randomized trial of endoscopic variceal ligation versus cyanoacrylate injection for treatment of bleeding junctional varices.

Background : There is scarcity of data concerning the management of bleeding junctional gastroesophageal varices. Aim: Our aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) with cyanoacrylate injection for the treatment of bleeding junctional varices. Methods: One hundred fifty patients with bleeding junctional varices were included in the study. Patients were subjected after randomization to either EVL of junctional varices (group l: 75 patients) or cyanoacrylate injection (group ll: 75 patients). Endoscopic sessions were continued till obliteration of the varices. Clinical as well as biochemical parameters and severity of liver disease were assessed in all patients. Results: Control of active variceal bleeding was achieved in 61 patients (81%) in group I and in 68 patients (91%) in group II with no significant difference (p =0.07). Re-bleeding was seen in 12 patients (16%) in group I and 5 patients in group II (6%). Junctional varix obliteration was achieved after one session in 33% of patients in group I and 52% of patients in group II, however after 2 sessions it was achieved in 67% in group I and 93 % in group II. After 3 sessions variceal obliteration was achieved in 99% in group l. Fever, chest pain and dysphagia were observed more frequently in group II than in group I. Long term complications including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome were also observed more frequently group II than in group I. Conclusion: EVL may be a good alternative to cyanoacrylate injection in treatment of bleeding junctional varices.

[Clinical and paraclinical symptoms in Dementia]

Dementia is basically the disease of old people which is usually caused by a primary degenerative lesion or by a structural disease in the brain. In terms of etiology, dementia is associated with reversible and irreversible causes. Determination of the underlying causes of dementia may facilitate its treatment and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical and paraclinical symptoms of dementia as well as to determine the most common causes. This is a cross sectional descriptive study on 100 patients with dementia who referred to Shahrivar 17[th] Hospital in Mashhad. First, the patients who were diagnosed as being infected by dementia were evaluated according to DSM-IV criteria. They were also enrolled in history taking and physical examinations as well as paraclinical managements like EEG, CT Scan and MRI. The obtained data were then recorded down in the questionnaires. 36% of the patients were females and 64% were males. Of this population, 43% had Alzheimer Disease [AD], 40% had Vascular Dementia [VaD], 9% Parkinson disease [PD] and 8% had other types of dementia while there was no case of Ferontotemporal dementia [FTD]. HTN, DM and Hyperlipidemia were found to have a fully significant effect on VaD. 100% with the history of TIA and 88% with the history of CVA had VaD which was meaningful, too. 55% of the VaD patients were identified with Gait disorder and 65% with Incontinence which is ststistically significant. Based on the results of MRI and CT Scan, 100% of the AD patients, 47.5% of the VaD patients and 88.9% of the PD patients were identified with cortical atrophy. In addition, it was found that hypocampus atrophy was present in 53.5% of the patients with AD and in 15% of the patients with VaD. In 90% of the VaD patients, hypodense foci was observed which is statistically significant, too. As the findings of the study suggest, the results of CT Scan and MRI was notably related to the type of dementia. Thus, it seems that using these two techniques can determine the existence of dementia in the early stages which can help with improving the quality and quantity of life in these patients. According to the frequency rate of VaD in our patients, it seems that the lack of or poor control of the risk factors like HTN, DM and hyperlipidemia can lead to the high frequency rate of vascular dementia

Coasting a viable option for patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

To present our experience in 48 coasted patients and how they performed in terms of the number of eggs collected, numbers of embryos available for embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization, pregnant and on going pregnancy rate. The study was conducted at Lister Hospital, London, United Kingdom, during the period October 1998 through to May 2001. For the purpose of the study, we selected coasted cycles in patients who were less than 38 years of age [n=48 patients]. A control group of cycles consisted of all cycles during the same period in patients less than 38 years of age, who were not coasted because they did not fulfil the at risk criteria, but yet we collected 20 oocytes or more [n=115 cycles, 113 patients]. The study showed that there is no significant difference in outcome between the 2 groups [52.1% pregnancy rate in the coasted group versus 51.3% in the control group]. The incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was 4.3% in the study group versus 12.2% in the control but this did not reach statistical difference. We therefore conclude that coasting is a safe and viable option for patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in an assisted conception cycle that allows the transfer of fresh embryos

Incidence of bronchial asthma in a children hospital, Jeddah

To study epidemiological and management pattern of asthmatic children attending the emergency room of the main children hospital at Jeddah and to determine the relation of temperature changes in the city to the rate of their attendance. A retrospective review of all emergency room records in 2 years. Yearly and monthly rates of acute asthma cases required medical intervention were calculated. Monthly ratios were correlated to mean grades of temperature in the city. A sample of 2504 cases were drawn randomly to reveal factors associated with presentation and management of asthmatic children. A total of 13802 acute asthmatic children presented to the emergency room [7.2% of all emergencies]. Saudis formed 61.2% and males formed 65.5% of asthmatics. Younger ages [< 2 years] showed a significant predominance and family history of bronchial asthma was recorded in 74% of the sample while previous use of prophylactic therapy was very low. Dyspnea was the most frequent presenting symptom followed by cough and wheezing. Most of the cases were managed primarily by nebulized Salbutamol and only 21% required systemic steroid. Months of low temperature grades were strongly associated with more presentation of asthmatics in the emergency room. Asthmatic children are forming a sizable portion of emergency attendances in Jeddah. An inadequate use of standard prophylactic therapies with a subsequent high impact on the utilization of health resources was noted. Efforts are needed by the medical community to adhere to national and international protocols for the diagnosis and management of bronchial asthma and promote the use of prophylactic drugs

Prevalence of hepatitis c antibodies and associated risk factors in blood donors in united arab emirates

There have been no published reports on the seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus among blood donors in United Arab Emirates. This prospective study was conducted in Sharjah Central Blood Bank Blood donors [n=3588] were tested for anti-hepatitis C antibodies to estimate the seroprevalence rate of hepatitis C and some demographic characteristics were studied to identify the associated risk factors. The study showed that the overall prevalence rate of anti-HCV antibody in the studied group was 1.67% [60/3588] with a higher prevalence of 15.92% [25/157] in Egyptian donors. Exclusion of this group would reduce the prevalence to 1.02% [35/3431]. Prevalence rate in UAE nationals was 1.71% [13/759]. The associated risk factors identified in this study included age group 36-45 years, first time donors, unpaid donation and level of education of only secondary school