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Cancer incidence in migrants to New South Wales (Australia) from the Middle East, 1972-91.

The incidence of cancer in migrants to New South Wales (NSW) from Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey has been compared with that in the Australian-born population using data from the NSW Central Cancer Registry for 1972-91. Age-standardized incidence rates showed overall cancer incidence to be less common in migrants from each Middle Eastern country than in the Australian-born. There was a clear pattern of generally low rates for cancers of the mouth and pharynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, lung (men only), ovary, prostate and testis, and melanoma. Cancers which tended to be more common in migrants were nasopharynx, stomach (women only), liver (men only), gallbladder (chiefly in women), bladder (men only), and thyroid. Breast cancer did not show a uniform pattern among migrant groups, rates being high in the Egyptian-born but low in Lebanese-born women. The overall low incidence of cancers related to tobacco and alcohol, and to a 'high fat, low fiber' diet, emphasizes the potential role of preventable lifestyle factors in the burden of cancer in Australia.

Age Factors↗

AFLP reveals structural details of genetic diversity within cultivated olive germplasm from the Eastern Mediterranean.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to assess genetic inter-relationships among olive varieties cultivated in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin. The genotypes sampled included most of the important cultivars from Turkey, Greece and the Middle East and selected genotypes from the Western Mediterranean area. A total of 119 polymorphic markers were generated from five selective primer-pair combinations. The combined data sets generated by just two primer-pairs were adequate to discriminate between all 65 genotypes, while each primer-pair could individually identify up to 64 genotypes. A factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) plot indicated that the cultivars clustered into two relatively modestly defined groups. The first broad group was dominated by cultivars from Turkey but also included genotypes originating from the Middle East (Syria and Lebanon) that collectively formed a tight subcluster. The second group comprised Greek cultivars and those originating from the Western Mediterranean. A significant genetic distance value between Greek and Turkish cultivars was provided by an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). There was also evidence of substructure here, with an apparent separation of most Spanish and Italian clones. These findings are in general accordance to previous suggestions of an East-West divergence of olive cultivars, although the dichotomy is less extensive than reported previously and complicated by regional variation within each group.

Analysis of Variance↗

A reconsideration of the domestication geography of tetraploid wheats.

The domestication of tetraploid wheats started from their wild progenitor Triticum dicoccoides. In this paper, the geographical distribution of this progenitor is revised to include more sampling locations. The paper is based on a collection of wild and domesticated lines (226 accessions in total) analyzed by AFLP at 169 polymorphic loci. The collection includes the 69 wild lines considered by Mori et al. (2003) in their study on chloroplast DNA haplotypes of T. dicoccoides. The goal of the experiment was to reconsider which location thought to have generated the domesticated germplasm has the highest chance of being the actual site from which wild progenitors were sampled during domestication. Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear AFLP databases indicates that two different genetic taxa of T. dicoccoides exist, the western one, colonizing Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, and the central-eastern one, which has been frequently sampled in Turkey and rarely in Iran and Iraq. It is the central-eastern race that played the role of the progenitor of the domesticated germplasm. This is supported by the cumulative results of the AFLP data from the collections of Ozkan et al. (2002) and of Mori et al. (2003), which indicate that the Turkish Karacadag population, intermixed with some Iraq-Iran lines, has a tree topology consistent with that of the progenitor of domesticated genotypes. The Turkish Kartal population belongs genetically to the central-eastern T. dicoccoides race but at the nuclear DNA level is less related to the domesticated gene pool. A general agreement between published work on tetraploid wheat domestication emerges from these results. A disagreement is nevertheless evident at the local geographical scale; the chloroplast DNA data indicate the Kartal mountains while AFLP fingerprinting points to the Karacadag Range as the putative site of tetraploid wheat domestication.

Cluster Analysis↗

Association of Children with Heart Disease in the World: 10-year experience.

Thousands of children live in developing countries with untreated but correctable congenital heart disease (CHD), and most of them will die simple because they live in poor countries that do not have suitable medical/surgical facilities. The aim of the Association of Children with Heart Disease in the World is to support the operatory and teaching activities of a group of voluntary doctors engaged in the management of children with CHD in developing countries. Since 1992, the association has obtained 160 grants for foreign doctors who have been trained in our hospitals; performed 75 missions abroad, with more than 2150 cases evaluated and 404 cardiac operations performed; obtained millions of dollars worth of donated medical equipment; and constructed two cardiac surgery departments in Syria and Cameroon. Many efforts have been made, but much more can be done as we attain more experience and develop better coordination and collaboration between the international groups engaged in this emerging social need.

Child↗

Y-STR haplotypes in populations from the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey.

We present the frequency distributions of Y-haplotypes determined by ten Y-chromosomal STR polymorphisms (i.e., DXYS156-Y, DYS19, DYS385, DYS389 I and II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393) in unrelated males from the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey (104 Turkish and Arabian-speaking Eti Turks from Adana area, 111 Roma and 110 Turks, Kahramanmara degrees area). The haplotype diversity was 0.974 in the Eti Turks, 0.979 in the Roma, and 0.989 in the Turks. Two variant alleles were characterized by sequencing, i.e., allele 9.2 at DXYS156 and 12.2 at DYS385. Some of the haplotypes are particular to one of the three populations; some are shared by all three populations. A search against the Y-Haplotype Reference Database revealed several matches to samples not only from Turkey and neighboring regions (e.g., Syria, Iraq) but also from all over Europe.

Alleles↗

A randomized trial comparing a pentavalent antimonial drug and recombinant interferon-gamma in the local treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

In a randomized prospective trial N-methyl-glucamine antimoniate (Glucantime) and human recombinant interferon-gamma were infiltrated around lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica in Syria. A previous trial had shown that intradermal application of interferon-gamma promoted the healing of similar lesions in the study area. Twenty patients with 38 lesions received 1-3 ml Glucantime and 20 patients with 37 lesions received 25 micrograms of interferon-gamma intradermally once weekly for 5 consecutive weeks. While all lesions treated with Glucantime were free of parasites after the third injection, only 69% of those treated with interferon-gamma were parasitologically cured by week 10. Within 10 weeks, lesions treated with Glucantime healed completely in 29/38, and partially in 9/38, cases, whereas 1/37 and 13/37 lesions treated with interferon-gamma healed completely and partially, respectively. Perilesional application of Glucantime was highly effective and superior to interferon-gamma for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Antigenic analysis of serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus isolates from the Middle East, 1981 to 1988.

During the period 1981-88 foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O continued to be isolated from outbreaks in the Middle East. Field isolates submitted to the World Reference Laboratory have been examined in relation to reference strains by either complement fixation, virus neutralization or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Most isolates were related to the European type O1 reference strains although strains emerging in late 1987 and 1988 were more closely related to O1/Manisa. In addition, FMDV isolates from Libya in 1981 and Syria in 1987 have shown very little relationship to these reference strains, although evidence of their persistence and spread has not been demonstrated.

Animals↗

Factors related to frequency of narghile (waterpipe) use: the first insights on tobacco dependence in narghile users.

AIMS: To evaluate factors related to level of narghile (waterpipe) use as a first step towards modeling tobacco dependence among narghile users. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey done in 2003 using interviewer-administered anonymous questionnaires. SETTING: Cafes/restaurants serving narghiles in Aleppo, Syria. PARTICIPANTS: Narghile smokers (161 men and 107 women; mean age, 30.1 +/- 10.2, 161; age range, 18-68 years; response rate, 95.3%) randomly selected from the 17 cafes/restaurants sampled. MEASUREMENTS: Frequency of narghile use (daily, weekly, monthly) was assessed as a function of several factors potentially indicative of dependence, including situational characteristics (where, when, and with whom smoking occurs; seasonality of use, and sharing of narghile), attitudes, and experience with quitting narghile use, escalation of use over time, future intentions regarding use, perception of being "hooked" on narghile, and cognitions/behaviors engaged in to support use (carrying one's own narghile; think of narghile when it is not available; considering narghile for selection of cafes/restaurants). FINDINGS: Frequency of narghile use was strongly correlated with participant's subjective judgment of how hooked they are on narghile (coefficient, 0.5). Predictors of narghile use frequency according to multinomial logistic regression were: male gender, smoking mainly alone versus with others; smoking mainly at home versus outside; smoking more frequently since initiation, being hooked on narghile, carrying narghile, and considering it for cafe/restaurant choice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal two main domains of a tobacco dependence syndrome likely to be relevant to narghile; the first reflects the effects of nicotine contained in narghile tobacco, and is not very different from what is seen with other tobacco products, and the second is unique to narghile and is related mainly to its social dimension, with more intensive smokers showing an increasingly individual pattern of narghile smoking.

Adolescent↗

Iranian STR variation at the fringes of biogeographical demarcation.

The integrative relationship between population genetics and forensic biology allows for a thorough genetic characterization of extant human populations. This study aimed to genetically characterize 150 unrelated healthy donors from a general population in Iran both forensically and phylogenetically. The allelic frequencies of 15 STR loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) were generated. This constitutes the core of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA genetic markers in the US Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) plus two additional loci (D2S1338 and D19S433) that together are consistent with several other worldwide database requirements. There were no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Based upon the allelic frequencies, several important forensic parameters were calculated including: gene diversity (GD) index, power of discrimination (PD), polymorphic information content (PIC) and power of exclusion (PE). G-tests indicate the allelic frequencies of the Iranians are statistically non-significant compared to two Turkish populations yet, statistically different from the remaining 18 groups obtained from the literature and examined in this study. This suggests that the Iranian dataset may be forensically equivalent to the dataset from the Turkish region of Eastern Anatolia and the general population from Turkey. Phylogenetic analysis of our population with the full set of 15 loci indicate the Iranians occupy an intermediate position relative to the major Caucasian and East Asian clades on a global level. A regional phylogenetic analysis using 13 of the 15 loci indicate the Iranians segregate in a more compact association with groups from southeastern Spain, Arabs from Morocco and Syria, and especially with the general population from Turkey and those from Eastern Anatolia. These groups are flanked by highly differentiated populations from northern India and a Berber group from Tunisia on opposing ends of the regional phylogram. This report also demonstrates the necessity to thoroughly characterize the genetic composition of populations located in geographic intersections in order to choose the appropriate dataset on which to base forensic calculations, not only at an intra-population level, but also at an inter-population level as well.

DNA Fingerprinting↗

Allele frequencies of 15 autosomal STR loci in the Iraq population with comparisons to other populations from the middle-eastern region.

Allele frequencies for the 15 autosomal STR loci included in the AmpFlSTR((R)) IdentifilerTM PCR Amplification Kit panel from Applied Biosystems (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D19S433, D2S1338, D16S539) and several statistical parameters were estimated from a sample of 103 unrelated individuals, mostly Shia and Sunni Arabs, living in most of central and southern Iraq provinces. We compared the allele frequency spectrum detected in the Iraqi population to allele frequencies from 11 other data sets from published studies of individuals from Turkey, Iraqi-Kurdistan, Saudi Arabia, Arab Emarates, Oman, Iran, Syria, and Jordan. Significant global differences in allele frequencies were detected in 9 of the 11 comparisons following sequential Bonferroni corrections. Comparisons with the two independent panels from Saudi Arabia were not significant after applying Bonferroni corrections, however, low P-values (P<0.05) associated with these two contrasts nonetheless suggested that at least slight genetic differences between populations may exist.

Arabs↗

Identification of measles virus genotypes from recent outbreaks in countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

BACKGROUND: Molecular characterization of measles viruses (MV) helps to identify transmission pathways of the virus and to document persistence or interruption of endemic virus circulation. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, measles genotypes from only few countries have been documented. OBJECTIVES: This study reports the genetic characteristics of virus strains from recent measles outbreaks in Tunisia, Libya, Syria and Iran in 2002-2003. STUDY DESIGN: Virus sequences in the nucleoprotein gene were obtained by PCR amplification of virus isolates or serum samples. The sequences were compared to the reference ones for genotype identification and to other published sequences within the same genotype. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Tunisian and Libyan epidemic strains belonged to genotype B3, they were closely related to each other and to isolates from Western Africa. The Syrian and Iranian viruses belonged to genotype D4, and differed from each other and from the other published sequences within this genotype. Our results provide valuable baseline and new tools for improved virological measles surveillance in the future, at country, regional and global levels.

DNA, Viral↗

Vipera palaestinae envenomation in 327 dogs: a retrospective cohort study and analysis of risk factors for mortality.

Vipera palaestinae (Vp), formerly a subspecies of the near east viper Vipera xanthina, is the most common poisonous snake in Israel and neighbouring countries (Jordan, Lebanon and Syria), and is responsible for most envenomations in humans and domestic animals. Hospital records were retrospectively reviewed for confirmed cases of Vp envenomations in dogs over a 13-year period and 327 cases were included in the study. Most envenomations occurred between May and October, and between 02:00 and 10:00 PM. The most frequent clinical signs included: local swelling and oedema (99.6%), viper teeth penetration marks (51%), tachypnoea (50%), panting (44%), increased body temperature (19.2%), tachycardia (>160/min, 19%), salivation (18%) and lameness (15.6%). Common haematological findings included: increased haematocrit (47%), increased haemoglobin concentration (45%), leucocytosis (39%), and thrombocytopenia (30%). The prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged in 68 and 21% of the dogs, respectively. Blood biochemistry abnormalities included increased activities of muscle enzymes, hyperglycaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, hyperglobulinaemia and hypocholesterolaemia. The mortality rate was 4% (13 dogs). The following variables were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with mortality: body weight below 15 kg (p = 0.01), limb envenomation (0.008), envenomation at night (p = 0.025), severe lethargy (P < 0.001), hypothermia (p = 0.04), systemic bleeding (p = 0.001), shock (p = 0.007), dyspnoea (p = 0.002), tachycardia (p = 0.002), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.02), and glucocorticosteroid therapy (p = 0.002). Dogs younger than 4 years had a lower death risk (p = 0.01). The association of steroid therapy with increased mortality suggests that the use of steroids in Vp envenomations may be harmful. Specific antivenom therapy (10 ml/dog) was not associated with a higher survival rate, thus its use, dose and timing of administration should be further investigated.

Animals↗

Phylogeny, biogeography, and evolution of two Mediterranean snakes, Malpolon monspessulanus and Hemorrhois hippocrepis (Squamata, Colubridae), using mtDNA sequences.

Variation in 815bp of mitochondrial DNA from two gene fragments (300bp of cytochrome b and 395-515bp of 12S rRNA) for 26 Malpolon monspessulanus, and cytochrome b for a further 21 individuals, indicates that this species originated in the Maghreb area of Northwest Africa. Here, an estimated 3.5-6Mya, it divided into the western M. m. monspessulanus, and an eastern clade including M. m. insignitus and M. m. fuscus. The very limited genetic differentiation between Maghreb and Southwest European populations of this form suggests that it arrived in the Iberian Peninsula only recently. Population genetics and demographic tests indicate subsequent expansion in this area around 83,000-168,000 year ago. Because present populations of Malpolon arrived recently, mid-Pliocene and at least some Pleistocene fossils of the genus Malpolon in Southwest Europe are probably derived from an earlier invasion from the Maghreb, possibly as early as the end of the Miocene period, 5.3-5.9Mya, when there was a temporary land bridge across the site of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea desiccated. The descendants of this earlier invasion must have eventually become extinct, perhaps during one of the Pleistocene glaciations. In contrast to the western M. m. monspessulanus, the greater genetic divergence found in the eastern clade of M. monspessulanus suggests that it dispersed at an earlier date and probably over a longer period, spreading eastwards through northern Libya and Egypt to Syria, Iraq, and Iran, and around the Mediterranean Sea through Turkey into the Aegean archipelagos and the Balkan peninsula. The western and eastern units of M. monspessulanus have different dorsal color pattern, differences in skull structure and exhibit an 8.4% uncorrected genetic divergence in the combined gene fragments investigated here. It is consequently recommended that they should be treated as separate species: M. monspessulanus (sensu stricto) and Malpolon insignitusstat. nov., the latter including the subspecies Malpolon insignitus fuscuscomb. nov. The same combined mitochondrial gene fragments used in Malpolon were investigated in 20 individuals of Hemorrhois hippocrepis, and of cytochrome b alone in a further 17. They indicate that this species also originated in the Maghreb and again invaded the Iberian Peninsula quite recently. Some of the most recent invasions of the Iberian Peninsula by reptiles and amphibian taxa could probably be anthropogenic in origin. Some other species including M. monspessulanus and H. hippocrepis, may have crossed naturally, by "hopping" across the Strait of Gibraltar via temporary islands on the shallowest parts that were exposed during sea-level fall associated with Pleistocene glaciations.

Animals↗

ITS 2 sequences heterogeneity in Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus similis (Diptera, Psychodidae): possible consequences in their ability to transmit Leishmania tropica.

An intraspecific study on Phlebotomus sergenti, the main and only proven vector of Leishmania tropica among the members of the subgenus Paraphlebotomus was performed. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences of 12 populations from 10 countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Syria, and Turkey) were compared. Samples also included three species closely related to P. sergenti: Phlebotomus similis (three populations from Greece and Malta), Phlebotomus jacusieli and Phlebotomus kazeruni. Our results confirm the validity of the taxa morphologically characterised, and imply the revision of their distribution areas, which are explained through biogeographical events. At the Miocene time, a migration route, north of the Paratethys sea would have been followed by P. similis to colonise the north of the Caucasus, Crimea, Balkans including Greece and its islands, and western Turkey. Phlebotomus sergenti would have followed an Asiatic dispersion as well as a western migration route south of the Tethys sea to colonise North Africa and western Europe. This hypothesis seems to be well supported by high degree of variation observed in the present study, which is not related to colonisation or to intra-populational variation. Two groups can be individualised, one oriental and one western in connection with ecology, host preferences and distribution of L. tropica. We hypothesise that they could be correlated with differences in vectorial capacities.

Africa, Northern↗

Studies on urolithiasis in Israel.

The composition of 1,000 kidney stones in our area of Israel was analyzed. The predominant stones were a combination of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, and uric acid. We used chemical analysis to determine the relative incidence of urinary calculi in 500 patients of various ages and ethnic groups. The incidence of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate calculi (44 per cent) in Jews born in Israel was lower than in other ethnic groups (54 to 64 per cent). The incidence of uric acid stones in Jews born in Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq and Syria, and the Ashkenazim (16 to 29 per cent) was 2 to 3 times higher than in other groups. In more than 60 per cent of the patients urolithiasis developed after they were 20 years old. The age at onset was significantly younger in Jews born in Israel (25.7 per cent) and North Africa (13.8 per cent), and in Arabs (18 per cent).

Adult↗

A topical nitric oxide-generating therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by macrophages is cidal to Leishmania. Since NO diffuses into tissues, we reasoned that NO-generating creams applied topically to lesions might be an effective and inexpensive treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). NO was generated non-enzymatically by the acidification of nitrite (KNO2) by ascorbic acid (ASC) or salicylic acid (SAL). Experiments in vitro showed that the combinations of KNO2 and SAL, ASC, or KC1 all killed promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but were toxic to macrophages at higher concentrations. Experiments in vivo showed modest efficacy of the combinations applied topically to L. major CL lesions of BALB/c mice. Forty patients with parasitologically proven L. tropica CL from Aleppo, Syria, were treated for 4 weeks with KNO2 in aqueous cream combined with KC1, ASC, or SAL. Only 11 (28%) of 40 patients showed improvement and only 5 (12%) of 40 were cured at 2 months. Further development of NO-generating creams is warranted.

Administration, Topical↗

Incidence and control of brucellosis in the Near East region.

In countries of the Near East region, brucellosis was reported in almost all domestic animals, particularly cattle, sheep and goats. Brucellosis in camels has been reported in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Egypt, Libya and Somalia. It has been reported even in racing camels in the United Arab Emirates. In Egypt, brucellosis has been reported also in buffaloes, equines and swine. Brucella melitensis biovar 3 is the most commonly isolated species from animals in Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Tunisia and Turkey. B. melitensis biovar 2 was reported in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and B. melitensis biovar 1 in Libya, Oman and Israel. B. abortus biovar 1 was reported in Egypt, biovar 2 in Iran, biovar 3 in Iran and Turkey, and biovar 6 in Sudan. The countries with the highest incidence of human brucellosis are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Jordan and Oman. Bahrain is reported to have zero incidence. Most human cases are caused by B. melitensis, particularly biovar 3. However, B. abortus has been responsible for an increasing number of cases in recent years, e.g. in Yemen, where B. abortus was identified in 45 cases and B. melitensis in 7 cases out of 330 cultures performed in 1995. Concerning control of brucellosis in animals, there is a controversy on the choice of policy. In some countries, the test and slaughter policy together with the vaccination of young females is adopted, in others, particularly with regard to sheep and goats; mass vaccination has been recently started. The most commonly used vaccines are B. abortus S19 and B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccines. B. abortus RB51 vaccine is used in some countries on small scale. Vaccination is limited to cattle and small ruminants.

Animals↗

Traditional healing with animals (zootherapy): medieval to present-day Levantine practice.

Animals and products derived from different organs of their bodies have constituted part of the inventory of medicinal substances used in various cultures since ancient times. This article reviews the history of healing with animals in the Levant (the Land of Israel and parts of present-day Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, defined by the Muslims in the Middle Ages as Bilad al-Sham) throughout history. Intensive research into the phenomenon of zootherapy in the Levant from early medieval to present-day traditional medicine yielded 99 substances of animal origin which were used medicinally during that long period. Fifty-two animal extracts and products were documented as being used from the early Muslim period (10th century) to the late Ottoman period (19th century). Seventy-seven were recorded as being used in the 20th century. Seven main animal sources have been exploited for medical uses throughout history: honey, wax, adder, beaver testicles, musk oil, coral, and ambergris. The first three are local and relatively easy to obtain; the last four are exotic, therefore, rare and expensive. The use of other materials of animal origin came to an end in the course of history because of change in the moral outlook of modern societies. Among the latter we note mummy, silkworm, stinkbug, scarabees, snail, scorpion, and triton.

Animal Population Groups↗