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Biomedical subjects

A A Osman

Publications and source records attributed to A A Osman.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Comparative skin testing with PPD tuberculin, Mycobacterium avium and M. scrofulaceum sensitin in schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia.

SETTING: Jizan region, Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE: To test methodology for studies of tuberculin sensitivity and effectiveness of BCG vaccination programme. DESIGN: School children (n = 315) aged 6-12 years simultaneously tested intradermally with PPD tuberculin RT23, 2TU and 0.1 microgram Mycobacterium avium or M. scrofulaceum sensitin. Presence of BCG scar as evidence of previous BCG vaccination. Cervical lymph nodes palpated. RESULTS: BCG coverage was 75%. The prevalences of positive reactions (induration > or = 6 mm) were higher among children with than without scar. Prevalences of positive reactions to PPD and M. scrofulaceum sensitin were higher among girls than boys. In children with scar, the mean size of positive reactions to PPD was larger among girls than boys, and the prevalence of positive reactions was smaller in this group among children with than without palpable cervical lymph nodes. The sizes of reactions both to M. avium and to M. scrofulaceum sensitin were correlated to the size of the tuberculin reactions. Previous admission to hospital was reported less often by children with than without scar. CONCLUSIONS: The technique applied and training of staff was satisfactory. In further studies, however, we will apply three simultaneous tests to each person.

Age Factors↗

Lethal catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. A dopamine receptor shut-down hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: Lethal catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) have been suggested to have a common neurochemical cause. We hypothesise that both conditions may be due to a sudden and massive blockade of dopamine neurotransmitters. METHOD: NMS was diagnosed in psychotic in-patients treated with neuroleptics if four features were present: diffuse severe rigidity, altered level of consciousness, hyperpyrexia and autonomic instability. RESULTS: Over three years, five NMS cases were diagnosed. Two presented with catatonic features and were diagnosed as acute reactive psychosis. Their neuroleptic doses were small, arguing for a particular sensitivity in these two cases. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of two patients with catatonic features who developed NMS with small doses of neuroleptics supports a common neurochemical basis for the two conditions.

Adult↗

Mechanical properties, bone mineral content, and bone composition (collagen, osteocalcin, IGF-I) of the rat femur: influence of ovariectomy and nandrolone decanoate (anabolic steroid) treatment.

Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an anabolic steroid with a positive effect on bone mass in osteoporotic patients. The mechanism of action, (i.e., reduction of bone resorption and/or stimulation of bone formation), the ultimate effect on mechanical properties, and the most effective dosage are not yet clear. To address these issues, dose-related effects of the long-term effect of ND on serum and bone biochemistry, bone mineral content, and bone mechanical properties in ovariectomized (OVX) rats (12 weeks old at the start of the experiment) were studied for 6 months. The results were compared with those obtained in age-matched, intact, and OVX rats. OVX caused in the femur a significant increase in net periosteal bone formation and net endosteal bone resorption of bone collagen content and torsional strength, and of serum alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels, whereas cortical bone density and calcium/creatinine and phosphorus/creatinine in 24-hour urine were significantly reduced. Treatment of OVX rats with 1 mg ND/14 days resulted in a significant increase in periosteal bone formation, femur length, cortical and trabecular bone mineral content and density, torsion stiffness and strength, and bone IGF-I content, and a decrease in serum osteocalcin, urinary calcium/creatinine levels, and bone collagen content compared with OVX controls. The higher ND dosage of 2.5 mg/14 days did not improve the results. ND treatment did not reverse all changes induced by OVS to the level of the intact controls. These results indicate that ND acts as an antiresorptive drug and as a home formation stimulating drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anabolic Agents↗

Monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis in developing countries.

Although a large growing literature indicates that monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis is more common than previously thought, little contribution has been made from psychiatrists working in developing countries. Fifteen patients are described who presented with the delusion of emitting a foul smell.

Adult↗

Bilharzial arthropathy of the temporomandibular joint.

Bilharzial was experimentally induced in Swiss albino mice in order to study the histopathological changes in the TMJ in case of Bilharzial infection. The bony components of the joint showed massive chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. The articular disk (meniscus) showed thickening and hyperplastic changes with narrowing of the joint space. The articulating surfaces showed erosions and irregularity. It was concluded that Bilharziasis can cause arthropathy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Animals↗

Studies on nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the Sudan--I. Epidemiology and Aetiology.

Three hundred and seventy-four cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) recorded in the Sudan Cancer Registry (SCR) and 512 cases seen at the Radiation and Isotope Centre, Khartoum (RICK) were analysed. NPC formed 5.8% of all cancer cases in the SCR and 7.2% at the RICK; this is the highest frequency so far reported outside the Chinese. The male/female ratio was 3:1; NPC was the commonest tumour in males at the RICK (12.1%) and second commonest in the SCR (9.2%). It tended to occur in younger patients (youngest, 3 yr), with 14 and 12.1% of cases in children 14 yr or under in the SCR and RICK respectively; it is the commonest childhood malignancy in the Sudan. The ethnic and geographical distribution of the cases showed that racial susceptibility played a significant role in the aetiology of NPC in the Sudan whereas environmental factors could be excluded; however, Epstein-Barr virus might be an exciting factor.

Adolescent↗

Etiology of venous disorders.

We have investigated the role played by the bulk and transit time of food in the bowel and the squatting position characteristically adopted by Africans and Asians for defecation in the causation of venous disorders. Refinement of carbohydrates leads to low residue diets and consequent prolonged transit time through the intestines. This, together with abandonment of squatting, as the use of water closets increased, has contributed to the increase in incidence of venous disorders among Westerners.

Cellulose↗

Differential aspects of consultation-liaison psychiatry in a Saudi hospital. I: referral pattern and clinical indices.

Consultation-liaison psychiatry has emerged as an important sub-specialty in the general hospital setting during recent years as a result of psychiatric acute wards moving into these hospitals. This has inspired the need for better structured research to establish its relevance and effectiveness. We, therefore, carried out a prospective cohort study at King Fahad General Hospital. We report the interaction of sociodemographic, clinical and diagnostic factors, time lag of referral and diagnostic ability of referring physicians. A total of 206 patients were referred over a period of 6 months. Sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic skills of the referring doctors were found to be generally poor, particularly for anxiety.

Adolescent↗

Differential aspects of consultation-liaison psychiatry in a Saudi hospital. II: knowledge and attitudes of physicians and patients.

To assess the attitude and knowledge of physicians and patients towards psychiatry, we asked 115 referring doctors and 188 referred patients to complete questionnaires. We examined the results along with the referral rates to try to identify factors that may affect a consultation-liaison psychiatry service. Generally, knowledge was poor and attitudes towards psychiatry negative in both groups. This negatively influenced the referral rates and reflected the lack of integration of psychiatry and medicine at the training level. This is an indication that psychiatrists need to work in collaboration with hospital doctors to integrate psychiatry into medicine at all levels and emphasizes the priority of education of hospital staff, patients and the community in consultation-liaison psychiatry.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗