Biomedical subjects

A Bener

Publications and source records attributed to A Bener.

119 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

The analysis of whorls on specific fingertips with respect to sex, bilateral asymmetry, and genetic relationship.

In a sample of 539 Polish families, 1000 individuals (515 males and 485 females) were analysed to determine the distribution of whorl patterns on specific fingertips, to compare their frequencies in males and females, and to determine whether asymmetry of these dermatoglyphic pattern elements is genetically controlled. Whorls occur most commonly on digit VI on both hands and in both sexes. The difference between males and females for mean values of occurrence is not significant. Using the bimanual difference between hands (right minus left), the digital asymmetry was determined, and correlations with asymmetrical occurrence of whorls was made between parents and children, and between sibs, in all combinations. In each case, there was a positive correlation pairs of relatives, demonstrating a genetic component in whorl determination and their asymmetrical occurrence.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Consanguinity and associated socio-demographic factors in the United Arab Emirates.

The aim of this study was to explore the association between socio-demographic factors and consanguineous marriages in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This was a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in the cities of Al Ain and Dubai between October 1994 and March 1995. A multi-stage sampling design was used and a representative total sample of 2,200 UAE females aged 15 years and above were included in this study. Data on 2,033 (85.8%) UAE national families who consented to participate in the study were obtained. The rate of consanguineous marriages in the sample was found to be 50.5% with 95% estimated population confidence limits 49.2-51.8%. The socio-demographic factors considered were: husband's age, wife's age, husband's and wife's educational levels, husband's occupation, wife's occupation, housing conditions, husband's parental kinship, wife's parental kinship, and kinship between the spouses. Consanguinity is more common among women with educated husbands (secondary or university/high) than among women with less educated husbands. The results indicate that the frequency of consanguineous marriages significantly increases when the husband's educational level is higher (p = 0.003). The distribution of relationship between spouses over the two generations of the study group and their parents is presented. The incidence of consanguineous marriages among the parents is 53% and 62% for the women and their husbands, respectively, and the overall incidence is 57%. The parallel patrilateral marriage is obviously the favoured practice when considering the parent's kinship distributions. The results of step-wise multiple logistic regression analysis for the occurrence of consanguineous marriages show that the husband's education and husband's parent's consanguinity status only are significantly associated variables.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Acanthosis nigricans, hyperinsulinaemia and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

We examined the association between acanthosis nigricans, hyperinsulinaemia and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients from the United Arab Emirates. Height, weight and sitting blood pressure were recorded in 122 patients with acanthosis nigricans, and blood samples were obtained for measuring fasting cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid levels. In addition, a glucose tolerance test was performed and blood was sampled for insulin and glucose. Our results indicate that the patients with acanthosis nigricans had a high prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinaemia. In addition, euglycaemic patients with hyperinsulinaemia had a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Etiology of toe-web disease in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates: bacteriological and mycological studies.

We examined and sampled 45 patients with toe-web intertrigo for bacteriological and mycological studies. Prominent isolated pathogens were the genus Candida (57.7%), genus Aspergillus (28.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.7%) and coliforms (24.4%). Dermatophytes scored 4.4% (Trichophyton rubrum). There were 43 patents (95.5%) who presented with marked hyperkeratosis and maceration of the toe-webs involved. The tradition of the Emirati population of sitting cross-legged may, over time, induce in the toe-webs of overweight individuals a macerated pressure-reaction hyperkeratosis that is colonized by environmental germs. T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes are uncommon in the Al-Ain environment and this may explain the rarity of dermatophytes in toe-web intertrigo in our study.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of surgery outcome for colorectal carcinoma in the United Arab Emirates.

In this retrospective study, 72 patients with colorectal cancer were followed up for a mean period of 28.2 months. Predictors of recurrence and survival were determined using standard analyses. Univariate analyses identified a group of patients with a shorter time to recurrence. The mean overall survival time was 63.2 +/- 7.7 months and survival time was shorter for younger patients with palliative resection, lymph node metastasis and peritoneal nodules. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, the hazard ratio for positive lymph nodes was 2.54 (95% CI: 1.36-4.79) compared to negative nodes, and for Dukes' stages A and B compared to stage C it was 0.45 (95% CI: 0.25-0.81).

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Varicella susceptibility among children and healthy adults in the United Arab Emirates.

The serological evidence of varicella zoster virus infection was determined among healthy individuals from infancy to 47 years of age living in this region. Of 648 people, 126 (19.4%) had no detectable antibody and were susceptible to infection. The overall adult seroprevalence rate was 81.3%. The rate among Emirati citizens increased with age; < 10 years, 45.8%; 11-20 years, 68.4%; 21-30 years, 89.5%; 31-40 years, 94.7%; and > 41 years, 88.9%. Adults from the Indian subcontinent and Philippines had variable prevalence rates and Sri Lankans living in the region were highly serosusceptible (35%). Because of the clinical impact of varicella in adult populations, vaccine prevention might be beneficial.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Some risk factors for hypertension in the United Arab Emirates.

A case-control study evaluated the relationship between hypertension and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors in Al-Ain city. The survey included 426 hypertensive adults aged 20-65 years attending urban and semi-urban clinics and a randomly selected sample of 436 normotensive controls. Hypertension among cases was higher for men, age 40-49 years, non-UAE nationals, urban living, currently married, having children, illiterate, administrative/professional job, living in traditional house and low income. There were significant differences between cases and controls with regard to obesity, raised cholesterol level, low physical activity and family history of heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that obesity, medium/high income, history of diabetes, low physical activity and having 3+ children were significantly associated with hypertension.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Does the circadian pattern for acute cardiac events presentation vary with fasting?

BACKGROUND: Over one billion Muslims fast worldwide during the month of Ramadan. The impact of fasting on circadian presentation with acute cardiac events is unknown. AIM: To determine if fasting has any effect on the circadian presentation of acute cardiac events. SETTING AND DESIGN: A prospective study in a general hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with acute coronary events were divided into two groups based on the history of fasting. Information about age, gender, cardiovascular risk factor profiles and outcome was collected. The relationship of time of presentation of initial symptoms with fasting was evaluated using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and chi2 analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1019 patients hospitalized during the study period, 162 were fasting. Although, fasting patients were more likely to present to the emergency department in the time periods 5-6 AM (10.5% vs 6.3%) and 11 PM (11.1% vs 7.1%) and were less likely to present in the time periods 1-2 PM (3.7% vs 7.2%) and 5-6 PM (3.7% vs 7.0%); these differences were not statistically significant. Fasting patients were less likely to have their symptoms start between 5 and 8 AM (11.1% vs 19.4%) and more likely to have symptoms between 5 and 6 PM (11.1% vs 6.0%) and 3 and 4 AM (11.1% vs 6.9%). These differences for time of initial symptoms were statistically significant (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Exogenous factors associated with fasting, namely, the changes in food intake and/or sleep timings, affect the circadian rhythm and influence the timing of presentation of acute coronary events.

Angina, Unstable↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Frequency of peptic ulcer disease during and after Ramadan in a United Arab Emirates hospital.

We aimed to study the effect of Ramadan fasting on the occurrence of peptic ulcer disease and its complications in patients presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department at Al-Ain hospital, United Arab Emirates (UAE). We retrospectively reviewed patient records over the 10-year period, 1992 to 2002. Of 470 patients treated for peptic ulcer disease, 215 were seen during Ramadan and 255 in the month after Ramadan. The frequency of peptic ulcer disease was higher after Ramadan than during Ramadan but this was not statistically significant. Peptic ulcer disease occurred more frequently in the age group 30-49 years. Peptic ulcer perforation occurred more frequently after Ramadan but the difference was not significant. Regression analysis identified the following variables as predictors of peptic ulcer disease: anorexia, pain, hypertension, smoking, epigastric pain, diabetes and family history.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reaction to tuberculin testing in Saudi Arabia.

An epidemiological study of tuberculosis infection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was conducted, between January 1987 to February 1990. A proportional to population size sampling method was used for the whole country, and 1933 subjects were screened. A pre- designed questionnaire was used to collect details of BCG scar, age, sex, residence area, nationality, education, occupation and tuberculosis test. The relative importance of these factors was assessed by using Logistic Regression Analysis. The extent to which these factors affected the severity of tuberculosis was also examined. A number of statistically significant association were found between positive tuberculin test (> 10mm) and age (p < 0.0001), sex (p = 0.018), nationality (p = 0.009), residence area (p = 0.05) and occupation (p = 0.0003).

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of asthma and wheeze in two different climatic areas of Saudi Arabia.

In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of asthma and wheeze was studied in 2300 school going children in two different environment and climate regions of Saudi Arabia, Dammam (humid-coastal) and Riyadh (dry-inland). The age range of children studied was 7-12 years (56% boys and 44% girls in Dammam; and 47% boys and 53% girls in Riyadh). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by parents of the children which includes information on age, sex, area, occupation and educational level of parents, history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, cough, wheeze, animals and pets exposure, family history of allergy and parental smoking habits. The results showed that prevalence of wheeze was more common in Riyadh (11.86%) than in Dammam (6.54%). Also, cough occurred more frequently in Riyadh (7.9%) than in Dammam (6%). The frequency of rhinitis was significantly more common in both areas than wheeze (Riyadh 17% and Dammam 12%). Also, the attack of breathlessness or tightness occurred more frequently in Riyadh (12.13%) than in Dammam (6.10%). When a more formal diagnosis of asthma was sought, this having been made by a doctor, the figures were 9.28% for Riyadh and 3.59% for Dammam. These figures showed major differences between the coastal and inland areas in the prevalence of bronchial asthma and wheezing with Dammam being relatively low risk whereas children in Riyadh region describe this more commonly.

Asthma↗