National mapping of schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and anaemia in Yemen: Towards better national control and elimination

Background Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are known to be endemic in Yemen. However, the distribution of both diseases had not previously been assessed by a well-structured national mapping study covering all governorates. The main aim of this study was, therefore, to map the prevalence of SCH and STH in Yemen in order to better inform implementation of effective national control and elimination interventions. The assessment of the distribution of anaemia was also included as a well-known consequence of infection with both SCH and STH. Secondarily, the study aimed to provide a broad indication of the impact of large-scale treatment on the distribution of infection. Methodology and principal findings To achive these aims, 80,432 children (10–14 years old) from 2,664 schools in 332 of Yemen’s 333 districts were included, in 2014, into this national cross-sectional survey. Countrywide, 63.3% (210/332) and 75.6% (251/332) of districts were found to be endemic for SCH and STH respectively. More districts were affected by intestinal than urogenital SCH (54.2% and 31.6% respectively). SCH infection was mostly mild and moderate, with no districts reporting high infection. One quarter (24.4%) of Yemeni districts had high or moderate levels of Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Infection with Trichuris trichiura was the second most common STH (44.9% of districts infected) after A. lumbricoides (68.1%). Hookworm was the least prevalent STH (9.0%). Anaemia was prevalent in 96.4% of districts; it represented a severe public health problem (prevalence ≥ 40%) in 26.5% of districts, and a mild to moderate problem in two thirds of the districts (33.7% and 36.1% respectively). Conclusion This study provided the first comprehensive mapping of SCH, STH, and anaemia across the country. This formed the basis for evaluating and continuing the national control and elimination programme for these neglected tropical diseases in Yemen

Establishment and characterization of a receptor-negative, hormone-nonresponsive breast cancer cell line from an Iraqi patient

Ahmed Majeed Al-Shammari,1 Mortadha A Alshami,2 Mahfoodha Abbas Umran,2 Asmaa Amer Almukhtar,3 Nahi Y Yaseen,1 Khansaa Raad,1 Ayman A Hussien1 1Experimental Therapy Department, Iraqi Center for Cancer and Medical Genetic Research, Mustansiriya University, 2Biotechnology Department, Collage of Science, Baghdad University, 3Medical Genetics Department, Iraqi Center for Cancer and Medical Genetic Research, Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq Abstract: A new breast cancer cell line (AMJ13) has been established from an Iraqi breast cancer patient. It is considered unique because it is the first for an Iraqi population, and is expected to be a useful tool in breast cancer research. The AMJ13 cell line was established from the primary tumor of a 70-year-old Iraqi woman with a histological diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The cells were morphologically characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy, and found to be elongated multipolar epithelial-like cells with a population doubling time of 22 hours. The anchorage-independent growth ability test showed that the cells were able to grow in semisolid agarose, confirming their transformed nature. Cytogenetic study of these cells showed chromosomal aberrations with many structural and numerical abnormalities, producing chromosomes of unknown origin called marker chromosomes. Immunocytochemistry showed that the estrogen receptor and the progesterone receptor were not expressed, and a weak positive result was found for HER2/neu gene expression. AMJ13 cells were positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2, as well as for vimentin. This cell line should be useful when testing new therapies for breast cancer in the Middle East. Keywords: ductal carcinoma, marker chromosomes, estrogen receptor, progesterone recepto

Impact of movement sequencing on sciatic and tibial nerve strain and excursion during the straight leg raise test in embalmed cadavers

STUDY DESIGN: Laboratory study, repeated-measures design. OBJECTIVES: To quantify differences in sciatic and tibial nerve biomechanics (strain and excursion) during common variations of the straight leg raise (SLR) test. BACKGROUND: Hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion are the primary movement components of the SLR. It has been suggested that the nervous system is loaded differently when ankle dorsiflexion is added before or after hip flexion. There are, however, no data to either support or refute this suggestion. METHODS: Strain and excursion in the sciatic and tibial nerve were measured in the hip, knee, and ankle regions during 2 movement sequences for the SLR test in 10 embalmed cadavers. The proximal-to-distal sequence consisted of hip flexion followed by ankle dorsiflexion; the distal-to-proximal sequence consisted of ankle dorsiflexion followed by hip flexion. RESULTS: In the SLR end position, strain and excursion were comparable for both sequences for the sciatic and tibial nerve at the knee (P>.24). Strain in the tibial nerve at the ankle was greater with the proximal-to-distal sequence (P = .008), but the actual difference was small (0.8%). The pattern of strain increase and nerve excursion varied between sequences (P≤.009), with nerve strain increasing earlier and being maintained longer in regions closest to the joint that was moved first in the movement sequence. CONCLUSION: Varying the movement sequence does not substantially impact excursion and strain in the end position of the SLR. Therefore, if neurodynamic test sequencing is useful in the differential diagnosis of neuropathies, it is not likely due to differences in strain in the end position of testing

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the STarT Back Tool for Arabic speaking adults with low back pain in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The STarT Back Tool (Subgrouping for Targeted Treatment; SBT) was developed and validated in the United Kingdom for adults with non-specific low back pain (LBP) to provide risk stratification groups. An Arabic version has not yet been developed. Consequently, our objectives were: First, to cross-culturally adapt the SBT for use in Arabic speaking adults (SBT-Ar) with LBP. Second, to assess the face, content and construct validity of SBT-Ar against relevant reference standards. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study carried out in the outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 59 participants (aged 18-60) with LBP able to read Arabic completed the questionnaire. SBT cross-cultural adaptation was performed according to published guidelines. Face and content validity were explored by individual interviews. Construct validity was assessed using pre-hypothesized correlations with relevant reference standards. RESULTS: Following 48 individual interviews the SBT final version was reached and demonstrated face and content validity. The SBT-Ar total score and psychosocial sub-scale had acceptable internal consistency and no redundancy (Cronbach α = 0.7). Moderate Spearman's correlations were found between the SBT-Ar total score and reference standards (Arabic Pain Numeric Rating Scale NRS-Ar r = 0.50 and Arabic Oswestry Disability Index ODI-ar r = 0.51). As expected the SBT-Ar psychosocial subscale had medium to high correlations with the psychosocial reference measures (Arabic Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire Physical Activity FABQPA-Ar r = 0.41, Arabic Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety HADSA-Ar r = 0.58, Arabic Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression HADSD-Ar r = 0.45 and Arabic Pain Catastrophizing Scale PCSAr r = 0.69).The SBT-Ar showed no significant floor or ceiling effects. CONCLUSION: This study culturally adapted and preliminary validated SBT into Arabic. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, Cross-sectional

Excursion of the Sciatic Nerve During Nerve Mobilization Exercises: An In Vivo Cross-sectional Study Using Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging

Study Design: Controlled laboratory cross-sectional study using single-group, within-subject comparisons. Objectives: To determine whether different types of neurodynamic techniques result in differences in longitudinal sciatic nerve excursion. Background: Large differences in nerve biomechanics have been demonstratedfor different neurodynamic techniques for the upper limb (median nerve), but recent findings for the sciatic nerve have only revealed small differences in nerve excursion that may not be clinically meaningful. Methods: High-resolution ultrasound imaging was used to quantify longitudinal sciatic nerve movement in the thigh of 15 asymptomatic participants during 6 different mobilization techniques for the sciatic nerve involving the hip and knee. Healthy volunteers were selected to demonstrate normal nerve biomechanics and to eliminate potentially confounding variables associated with dysfunction. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were used to analyze the data. Results: The techniques resulted in markedly different amounts of nerve movement (P<.001). The tensioning technique was associated with the smallest excursion (mean ± SD, 3.2 ± 2.1 mm; P−.004). The sliding technique resulted in the largest excursion (mean ± SD, 17.0 ± 5.2 mm; P<.001), which was approximately 5 times larger than that resulting from the tensioning technique and, on average, twice as large as that resulting from individual hip or knee movements. Conclusion: Consistent with current theories and findings for the median nerve, different neurodynamic exercises for the lower limb resulted in markedly different sciatic nerve excursions. Considering the continuity of the nervous system, the movement and position of adjacent joints have a large impact on nerve biomechanics.No Full Tex