Biomedical subjects

R G Shidrawi

Publications and source records attributed to R G Shidrawi.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Oesophageal and gastric carcinoma in the Republic of Yemen.

We conducted a preliminary survey on 3064 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at the Al-Thawra Hospital in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen, between January and December 1991. The age/sex distribution, demographic features and social habits with respect to cigarette and water-pipe smoking and Qat chewing were compared for patients with oesophageal and gastric cancers (n = 183). A preponderance of women with carcinoma of the mid-oesophageal was noted, previously only recorded in areas of high prevalence. Unlike Western populations, smoking and alcohol consumption were not significant risk factors. A high frequency of Qat chewing and water-pipe smoking was found for both men and women and for a group with tumours of the gastro-oesophageal junction or cardia (chi 2 = 2.646, P > 0.05). Numbers were insufficient to identify independent effects of each factor individually. Dietary habits alone were insufficient to account for the excess of affected females. A case-control study is now underway to investigate further the role of dietary factors, social habits, demographic features and Helicobacter pylori infection on the development of upper gastrointestinal cancer in the Yemen.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1995

In vitro toxicity of gluten peptides in coeliac disease assessed by organ culture.

BACKGROUND: We have used organ culture to investigate the in vitro toxicity of three oligopeptides corresponding to amino acids 31-49 (peptide A), 202-220 (peptide B), and 3-21 (peptide C) of A-gliadin, Frazer's fraction III (FFIII), and ovalbumin. METHODS: Eight to 14 jejunal biopsy specimens were obtained from each of 8 treated and 7 untreated coeliac patients and 5 normal controls and cultured for 18 h in organ culture with test peptide (1 mg/ml) or medium alone. Mean enterocyte cell heights (ECH) were compared with paired values for specimens grown in medium alone. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the mean of the ECH values for each of the patient groups was observed with peptide A and FFIII in both treated (p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively) and untreated (p = 0.03 and 0.01) coeliac patients when compared with tissue incubated with medium alone. No significant changes in the mean ECH value were noted in any of the patient groups in tissue incubated with peptide B, peptide C, or ovalbumin as compared with those with medium alone. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that peptide A is toxic in vitro to the jejunal mucosa of both treated and untreated coeliac patients, correlating with recent findings that this peptide exacerbates coeliac disease in vivo.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Hepatitis E--an important cause of imported non-A, non-B hepatitis among migrant workers in Qatar.

In 1985, Glynn et al. [Journal of Medical Virology 17:371-375] reported on epidemic viral hepatitis in Qatar and concluded that 72% (91/126) had acute enterically transmitted non-A, non-B viral hepatitis (ET-NANBH). Most of the patients (98%) presented within 8 weeks of arrival in Qatar and were migrant workers from the Indian subcontinent. The data was reanalysed for evidence of infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV). Seventy-eight of 91 (86%) of stored sera were still suitable for analysis since collection in 1981. A newly described enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for both IgG and IgM anti-HEV was used (Abbott Laboratories, Delkenheim, Germany); 59/78 (76%) were positive for either or both assays. All but two were from the Indian subcontinent. The data suggest that HEV was the major cause of ET-NANBH in Qatar in 1981, particularly among newly arrived migrant workers from the Indian subcontinent.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Sarcoidosis presenting as multiple subcutaneous nodules.

We report a young West Indian man who presented with non-specific constitutional symptoms and widespread subcutaneous nodules which were non-diagnostic on histology. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made on the basis of progressive bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, interstitial pulmonary infiltration, a raised serum angiotensin-converting-enzyme level and a granulomatous hepatitis. All symptoms and signs improved dramatically on corticosteroid therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Strongyloidiasis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

HTLV-I Infections↗

PubMed1994

Pitfalls in diagnosing coeliac disease.

AIMS: To highlight the pitfalls in the diagnosis of coeliac disease and to make recommendations for its diagnosis and the management of refractory cases with equivocal histology. METHODS: Six patients, referred since 1989 with a diagnosis of coeliac disease based on duodenal biopsy specimens taken at endoscopy, and who failed to respond to a gluten-free diet were studied. All patients were subjected to peroral jejunal biopsy. Morphometric analysis of villus height:crypt depth ratios, surface enterocyte cell heights, and intraepithelial counts was used to aid in the assessment of equivocal histology. RESULTS: Subsequent small intestinal biopsy specimens both taken when the patients were following a gluten-free diet and after gluten challenge were normal in all cases. Morphometric analysis and intraepithelial counts were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Misinterpretation of the original slides was often due to poor sample quality and tangential sectioning. Failure to respond to a gluten-free diet should always raise doubt regarding the initial diagnosis, especially when the findings are normal. For correct diagnosis at least three distal duodenal biopsy specimens should be taken simultaneously, and these should be of an adequate size and correctly orientated. Review by a histopathologist experienced in gastrointestinal diagnosis is essential in difficult cases. Quantitative morphometric analysis is helpful in equivocal cases, and jejunal suction biopsy, following a gluten challenge, may be necessary in patients refractory to treatment.

Adult↗