STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional screening. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine if there is any association of the three microsatellite markers on chromosome 19p 13.3 in unrelated Saudi Arabian girls who were suffering with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and their healthy siblings. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The genetic influence on the development of familial scoliosis has been previously described, but the genetic influence on AIS still remains unknown. Three microsatellite markers (D19S216, D19S894, and DS1034) of chromosome 19p 13.3 were reported to be significantly associated with familial scoliosis. This cross-sectional screening was carried out in AIS patients and their siblings. METHODS: For eleven Saudi Arabian girls who were treated for AIS and their 11 siblings, we performed a linkage analysis using parametric and nonparametric methods and using GENEHUNTER ver. 2.1. Multipoint linkage analysis was used to specify an autosomal dominant trait with a gene frequency of 0.01 at the genotypic and the allelic levels. One sided Fisher's exact tests were used in the analysis of the contingency tables for the D19S216, D19S894 and DS1034 markers. RESULTS: The analysis between the patient group and the healthy siblings showed that at the genotypic level there was a significant association of the markers and scoliosis (D19S894 [p=0.036], D19S216 [p=0.004], and DS1034 [p=0.013]). Yet at the allelic level, there was no statistically significant association of the markers between the AIS patients and their siblings. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study shows that there is a genetic influence between the AIS patients and the siblings. We believe large scale genetic screening is warranted for the patients with AIS to identify beyond any doubt the influence of these markers.
Adolescent ; Arabs ; Genes, vif ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Pilot Projects ; Scoliosis ; Siblings ; Stress, Psychological

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical investigation. PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanics of integrated three-screw and four-screw anterior interbody spacer devices and traditional techniques for treatment of degenerative disc disease. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Biomechanical literature describes investigations of operative techniques and integrated devices with four dual-stacked, diverging interbody screws; four alternating, converging screws through a polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) spacer; and four converging screws threaded within the PEEK spacer. Conflicting reports on the stability of stand-alone devices and the influence of device design on biomechanics warrant investigation. METHODS: Fourteen cadaveric lumbar spines were divided randomly into two equal groups (n=7). Each spine was tested intact, after discectomy (injured), and with PEEK interbody spacer alone (S), anterior lumbar plate and spacer (AP+S), bilateral pedicle screws and spacer (BPS+S), circumferential fixation with spacer and anterior lumbar plate supplemented with BPS, and three-screw (SA3s) or four-screw (SA4s) integrated spacers. Constructs were tested in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). Researchers performed one-way analysis of variance and independent t-testing (p≤0.05). RESULTS: Instrumented constructs showed significantly decreased motion compared with intact except the spacer-alone construct in FE and AR (p≤0.05). SA3s showed significantly decreased range of motion (ROM) compared with AP+S in LB (p≤0.05) and comparable ROM in FE and AR. The three-screw design increased stability in FE and LB with no significant differences between integrated spacers or between integrated spacers and BPS+S in all loading modes. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated spacers provided fixation statistically equivalent to traditional techniques. Comparison of three-screw and four-screw integrated anterior lumbar interbody fusion spacers revealed no significant differences, but the longer, larger-diameter interbody spacer with three-screw design increased stabilization in FE and LB; the diverging four-screw design showed marginal improvement during AR.
Cadaver ; Diskectomy ; Equipment Design ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Lumbosacral Region ; Pedicle Screws ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spine

Bardach described a closure of the cleft utilizing the arch of the palate, which provides the length needed for closure and is most effective only in narrow clefts. Herein, we describe a case where we utilized Bardach’s two-flap technique with a vital and easy modification, done to allow closure of a wide cleft palate and to prevent oronasal fistula formation at the junction of the hard and soft palate, which are otherwise difficult to manage with conventional flaps. The closed palate showed healthy healing, palatal lengthening, and no oronasal regurgitation. We advise using this modification to achieve the goals of palatal repair in difficult cases where tension-free closure would otherwise be achieved with more complex flap surgical techniques, such as free microvascular tissue transfer.

STUDY DESIGN: Researchers created a proper type II dens fracture (DF) and quantified a novel current posterior fixation technique with spacers at C1–C2. A clinical case study supplements this biomechanical analysis. PURPOSE: Researchers explored their hypothesis that spacers combined with posterior instrumentation (PI) reduce range of motion significantly, possibly leading to better fusion outcomes. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Literature shows that the atlantoaxial joint is unique in allowing segmental rotary motion, enabling head turning. With no intervertebral discs at these joints, multiple ligaments bind the axis to the skull base and to the atlas; an intact odontoid (dens) enhances stability. The most common traumatic injury at these strong ligaments is a type II odontoid fracture. METHODS: Each of seven specimens (C0–C3) was tested on a custom-built six-degrees-of-freedom spine simulator with constructs of intact state, type II DF, C1–C2 PI, PI with joint capsulotomy (PIJC), PI with spacers (PIS) at C1–C2, and spacers alone (SA). A bending moment of 2.0 Nm (1.5°/sec) was applied in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was performed. RESULTS: DF increased motion to 320%, 429%, and 120% versus intact (FE, LB, and AR, respectively). PI significantly reduced motion to 41%, 21%, and 8%. PIJC showed negligible changes from PI. PIS reduced motion to 16%, 14%, and 3%. SA decreased motion to 64%, 24%, and 54%. Reduced motion facilitated solid fusion in an 89-year-old female patient within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Type II odontoid fractures can lead to acute or chronic instability. Current fixation techniques use C1–C2 PI or an anterior dens screw. Addition of spacers alongside PI led to increased biomechanical rigidity over intact motion and may offer an alternative to established surgical fixation techniques.
Aged, 80 and over ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Skull Base ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of osteoporosis related spinal fractures among Saudi Arabian males. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Vertebral fractures are the most common complication of osteoporosis and is the first sign in both sexes and only 25 to 30% of radiographically observed vertebral deformities are recognized. METHODS: We analyzed the chest radiographs of consecutive Saudi Arabian men > or = 50 years and who visited the emergency room of King Fahd University Hospital, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia for a period of 12 months between November 1, 2007 and October 31, 2008. The site and type of fractures were classified as per the semi-quantitative technique. The other data retrieved from the medical records of patients included medications and clinical investigations for osteoporosis. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventy chest radiographs were performed during the study period and 876 radiographs could be analyzed. One hundred fifteen patients (13.1%) had 157 fractures. The mean age was 67.85 +/- 10.1 years. There was more than one fracture in 21 patients (18.2%). The majority of fractures (n = 102, 64.9%) were observed in thoracic spine. Seventy-one (45.2%) fractures were classified as mild, 54 (34.4%) were moderate and 32 (20.4%) were severe. For 26 (22.6%) patients, the report of the radiologist highlighted the fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Saudi Arabian males with osteoporosis continue to be missed despite the high prevalence osteoporosis leading to vertebral fractures. We believe it is important for physicians to identify vertebral fractures early and treat then appropriately before an extremity fracture occurs with high mortality.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Emergencies ; Extremities ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Saudi Arabia ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine ; Thorax

Among strategies for decreasing diseases, the use of larvicidal plant extracts against mosquito larvae gain an important place in vector control. The aim of the present study was to reveal the insecticidal effectiveness of an endemic medicinal plant on Mosquito-Borne Diseases. The chemical composition of the dried aerial part from Origanum floribundum Essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation, was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system. The potential larvicidal activity of this extract as bioinsecticide was assessed against Culex pipiens. Results showed many functional groups such as phenols and alcohols, besides, the chemical composition by GC-MS identified thymol (86.9%) and p-Cymene (5.1%) as major components. A significant larvicidal effect against the target mosquito species was noted, with values of LC50 at 21.19 mg/l and LC90 at 68.37 mg/l. The results obtained showed that the essential oil of Origanum floribundum with chemotype thymol possess a potent larvicidal activity and could be considered as an eco-friendly alternative for vector control.

Good nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The beneficial effects of nutrition have been found to counteract nutritional disturbances with the expanded use of nutraceuticals to treat and manage cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other developmental defects over the last decade. Flavonoids are found abundantly in plant-derived foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea, cocoa, and wine. Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids. Flavonoids can act as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-microbial (antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral) antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-diarrheal agents. Flavonoids are also reported to upregulate apoptotic activity in several cancers such as hepatic, pancreatic, breast, esophageal, and colon. Myricetin is a flavonol which is naturally present in fruits and vegetables and has shown possible nutraceutical value. Myricetin has been portrayed as a potent nutraceutical that may protect against cancer. The focus of the present review is to present an updated account of studies demonstrating the anticancer potential of myricetin and the molecular mechanisms involved therein. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying its anticancer activity would eventually help in its development as a novel anticancer nutraceutical having minimal side effects.
Humans ; Flavonoids/chemistry* ; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry* ; Dietary Supplements ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy*