Raouf Fadel

Frequency of palmaris longus absence and its association with other anatomical variations in the Egyptian population.

The palmaris longus (PL) is one of the most variable muscles in the human body. Racial differences in its variation have been documented. Several studies have attempted to correlate PL absence with other anatomical variations. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of absence of PL, correlate it with gender and body side and to determine its association with other anatomical variations in the Egyptian population. The presence of PL was clinically determined in 386 Egyptians using the standard technique. All subjects were examined for the presence of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) to the fifth finger. Allens test was done to assess the completeness of the superficial palmar arch (SPA). The overall prevalence of absence of the PL in Egyptian subjects was 50.8%. There was no significant difference in PL absence with regard to the body side but a significant difference was seen as regards gender and when bilateral absence of PL was compared to its unilateral absence. Absence of FDS tendon to the fifth finger was seen in 1.3% subjects. There was no association between the absence of the FDS tendon to the fifth finger and either presence or absence of PL and also between the absence of PL and the incompleteness of SPA in both genders. In conclusion, the prevalence of absence of PL in the Egyptian population represents one of the highest rates of absence to be reported for this muscle, which is significantly different from that in other ethnic groups. Clin. Anat. 26:572–577, 2013.

Genetic polymorphism of the glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genes in three distinct Arab populations.

Deletion polymorphisms for the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene are associated with increased risk of cancer, and are implicated in detoxifying mutagenic electrophilic compounds. GST Polymorphic variants were reported for different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes among Bahraini, Lebanese and Tunisian Arabs. GST genotyping was done by multiplex PCR-based methods. Study subjects comprised 167 Bahrainis, 141 Lebanese and 186 Tunisians unrelated healthy individuals. GSTM1 deletion homozygosity of 49.7%, 52.5% and 63.4% were recorded for Bahraini, Lebanese and Tunisians, respectively. Among Bahrainis, the prevalence of GSTT1 null homozygotes was 28.7%, while in higher rates were seen in Lebanese (37.6%) and Tunisians (37.1%). Our results indicate that there are no major differences in allelic distribution of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes between the three Arab populations investigated except between Bahrainis and Tunisians regarding the allelic distribution of GSTM1 gene (P = 0.013). Combined analysis of both genes revealed that 14.4% of Bahrainis, 16.3% of Lebanese and 21.0% of Tunisians harbor the deleted genotype of both genes. This is the first study that addresses GST gene polymorphism in Bahraini and Lebanese Arabs, and will help genetic studies on the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with disease risks and drug effects in Arab populations.

Facial Anthropometry in an Arab Population

Result: The mean inter-alar width of the nose was 35.06 mm (37.14 mm in males and 33.21 mm in females). The mean maxillary inter-canine distance was 37.96 mm (39.66 mm in males and 36.38 mm in females). The mean mouth width was 50.66 mm (52.85 mm in males and 48.63 mm in females). The maxillary inter-canine distance was 75% of mouth width; therefore, the mouth width is a reliable predictor of the maxillary intercanine distance and vice versa in the Arab population. Comparison between nationals from different GCC countries showed that Bahraini males had significantly wider mouths than Saudi Arabian males (P=0.034).

Growth assessment of diabetic rat fetuses under the influence of insulin and melatonin: a morphologic study.

Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress makes an important contribution to the etiology of diabetic teratogenicity namely fetal growth and congenital dysmorphogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective roles of melatonin and insulin against diabetics embryolethality and teratogenicity. Diabetes was induced to virgin Sprague Dawley albino rats by a single peritoneal injection of alloxan. Thirty pregnant rats were divided equally into 5 groups: 1) Control 2) Diabetic 3) Diabetic insulin 4) Diabetic melatonin 5) Diabetic melatonin-insulin. Insulin and melatonin were administered daily throughout the whole gestational period. Fetuses were collected on day 20 of gestation and were examined for malformations and growth disorders. A significant increase in fetal growth parameters (Macrosomia) were noticed in the diabetic group compared to the control. Melatonin prevents the appearance of soft tissue anomalies, but it leads to fetal growth restriction of diabetic rats (Microsomia). No significant changes were noticed in fetal growth parameters in diabetic insulin or in diabetic melatonin-insulin groups compared to the control. Congenital anomalies were not seen in diabetic insulin and in diabetic melatonin-insulin groups while the rate of resorption was reduced in both groups when compared to the diabetic group. In conclusion, co-administration of melatonin with insulin leads to a slight non significant improvement of the protective role of insulin against diabetic embryolethality, teratogenicity and fetal growth changes.

The place of anatomy in medical education: Guide supplement 41.2—Practical application

Adequate knowledge of anatomy with strong emphasis on understanding rather than knowing and the acquisition of essential anatomical skills, such as the power of observation, identification and interpretational abilities are considered crucial for effective and safe clinical practice (Abu-Hijleh et al. 1995; Boon et al. 2002; Heylings 2002). The recent review paper by Louw et al. (2009) addressed these important features in teaching anatomy through the principles governing modern medical education. We present here one example of how such principles could be practically applied. The College of Medicine and Medical Sciences (CMMS) at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has followed a problembased, student-centred and community-oriented curriculum since its inception in 1982. The 6-year curriculum is organised into three phases: pre-medical (1 year), pre-clerkship (3 years) and clerkship (2 years). While the subject of anatomy is covered sequentially during all the three phases of the curriculum, the bulk of it is taught in the pre-clerkship as an integrated component of problem-based, organ–system units involving basic medical and clinical sciences (Abu-Hijleh et al. 2004). Until 2002, the Department of Anatomy at AGU carried out its teaching–learning activities mostly through needs-based interactive sessions, where students scheduled appointments in small groups or individually with two designated faculty members, enabling them to focus on difficulties encountered in learning. An appointment lasted for 30–45 min and students could decide the topic or demonstration needed to discuss or see in relation to the learning objectives that emerged during small-group problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials. The visual nature of anatomy instruction created a continuous demand on faculty for demonstrations in gross anatomy and histology. While these activities took place during each unit, the manner in which they were presented was somewhat random and often lacked order or standardisation. This fact, compounded by a steady increase in the number of medical students admitted over the years, led to the realisation that a different strategy of supporting anatomy learning was necessary. A standardised learning activity called Structured ProblemRelated Anatomy Demonstrations (SPRAD) was proposed and implemented for the first time in 2002, to replace the previous system of individualised teaching activities (Abu-Hijleh et al. 2005).

Effects of Topiramate on Pregnancy Outcome in Rats

Method: Three groups of Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were used in the experiment: control, Topiramate 50mg/Kg BW and Topiramate 100 mg/Kg BW. Topiramate was administered by intragastric intubation from day 6 through day 19 of gestation. Cesarean section was performed on day 20. Resorption was calculated, placental weight and umbilical cord length were measured. Fetuses were collected to assess their growth parameters: fetal weight (FW), biparietal diameter (BPD), crown-rump length (CRL) and head length (HL). Ponderal index and CRL/HL ratio were calculated to indicate the type of growth restriction.

Effects of Topiramate Administration on Placenta of Rat

90 Topiramate (TPM), an antiepileptic drug, is indicated as initial monotherapy or as an adjunctive therapy in patients with partial onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures1. Recently, TPM has been evaluated for other neurological or psychiatric disorders such as migraine, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and in combination with phentermine for the management of obesity2-6.