MAGNETIC HILLS AND OPTICAL ILLUSION IN KURDISTAN REGION

“Anti-Gravity Hills", or “Magnetic Hills”, are natural places where apparently defying the law of gravity. In some places in Kurdistan region these magnetic hills exist. This type of hills appears to go uphill is really going downhill. The purpose of the present work was to register an unknown magnetic hill, and a water channel of abnormal apparent direction of flow! And to study what types of physical properties are behind these, we investigated that optical illusion, and a false horizon line are behind

A Study on the Prevalence and Source of Staphylococci and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Causing Superficial Incisional Surgical Site Infection

Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are common causatives of superficial incisional surgical site infection (SSI). The source of the pathogens is still not fully diagnosed whether it is endogenous or exogenous particularly with regard to the extent of its resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, this study is designed to determine the rate of infection, the source of pathogens, and the extent of their resistance to antibiotics. For this purpose, pre-, intra- and post-operative swabs from the nasal and skin of patients undergoing surgeries and samples from the hospital environment have been collected and processed for isolation and identification of staphylococci. Bacterial analysis and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates are assessed by unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis based on random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) and disc diffusion test for antibiotics susceptibility profile. The microbiological and PCR results indicate that SSIs are found in 113/512 (22.07%), Staphylococcus spp. rated 67/512 (13.09%) of infections. Further analysis indicates that S. aureus, CoNS, and both of them were causes SSI with different rates 41/67 (61.2%), 23/67 (34.3%), and 3/67 (4.5%), respectively. Results of RAPD-PCR for 70 isolates reveal that 52/70 (74.28%) of SSIs are from endogenous source, followed by 10/70 (14.29%) and 8/70 (11.43%) from hospitals acquired and undetermined sources, respectively. Moreover, results of antibiotic susceptibility test reveal that 24/44 (54.5%) of isolates belong to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; from both endogenous and exogenous sources with 13/24 (54.17%) and 11/24 (45.83%), respectively

The Outcome of Minimally Invasive Discectomy in Single Level Lumbar Disc Prolapse

Abstract Lumbar disc surgery in carefully selected patients who have failed conservative treatments can significantly improve quality of life. Minimally invasive treatment of lumbar disc herniation has been popularized in recent years. The aim of the study was to assess the outcome of minimal invasive (loupe) discectomy among lumbar disc prolapse patients in Sulaimani. A prospective study carried out in Shar and Sulaimani Teaching hospitals in Sulaimani city for period from 1 st of February, 2013 to end of June, 2014 on sample of 30 patients with single level lumbar disc prolapse admitted to orthopedic units. The data were collected by the researcher through direct interview and filling a prepared questionnaire. The outcome of surgery was evaluated by comparing the symptoms (back pain, leg pain, and leg parathesia) and the muscle power grading (EHL & FHL) of the patients pre-and post-operatively. Mean age of studied patients was 39.1 ± 9.3 years. Males were more than females. Disc prolapse level was L4-L5 among 17 and L5-S1 among 13 patients. Studying the symptoms pre-and post-operatively, revealed significant decrease in leg pain, leg parathesia and back pain post-operatively (p < 0.001). Studying EHL & FHL power grading preand post-operatively, revealed significant increase in muscle power grades 4 and grade 5 postoperatively (p < 0.001). We concluded that minimal invasive discectomy is good and safe treatment option for lumbar disc prolapse

The Biochemical Assessment of Imported Frozen Chicken and Detection The Effect of Biogenic Amines on The Meat Quality

To assess the quality of imported frozen chicken sold in Sulaimani markets with respect to biogenic amines content and sensory properties, a total of 160 samples of frozen chicken meat belonged to four foreign trademarks were collected in two batches from different parts of Sulaimani city markets. The samples consisted of whole chickens (160 samples- 80 for each batch). HPLC- based detection of Biogenic amines revealed histamine within the acceptable limits in all marks, it ranged 0.00- 0.22 and 0.00- 0.03 mg/ Kg meat in batches 1 and 2 respectively for the four marks of carcasses. Putrescine, Cadaverine, Spermine and Spermidine were within the ranges reported in literatures for good chicken meat quality in all marks, except in DMIS. The biogenic amines indexes for all marks were within the acceptable limits except for DMIS, which significantly differed from the others.  The sensory evaluation (organoleptic evaluation) of carcasses revealed highest scores gained by Gedik for all categories then by Sadia and Frinal, while DMIS had the lowest with the presence of significant differences among marks

Bacteriological Quality of Imported Frozen Chicken in Sulaimani Markets

To study the bacteriological quality of imported frozen chicken meat in Sulaimani markets, a total of 360 samples represented whole chickens (160 samples, 80 for each batch), thighs (120 samples, 60 for each batch) and breasts (80 samples, 40 for each batch) belonged to seven commercial trademarks, distributed on two batches, were tested according to international analytical regulations and guides. The mean values of the total plate count (TPC) in batches 1 and 2 of the whole chicken carcasses ranged 0.540-5.720 ×104 and 0.250-5.720 ×104 CFU/ g meat respectively, in thighs they ranged 1.170- 17.520 and 0.730- 12.500 ×104CFU/ g meat respectively, and  in breast they ranged 0.586- 14.380 and 1.174-11.900×104CFU/ g meat respectively. The psychrophiles count in whole chicken carcasses ranged 1.950- 13.740×104  and  0.900-27.420×104 CFU/ g meat, in thighs they ranged 0.554-8.560 and 0.360- 8.000×104 CFU/ g meat, and in breast ranged 0.734-8.880 and 1.140- 9.360 ×104 CFU/ g meat in batches 1 and 2 respectively.  Psychrotrophes count in whole carcasses ranged 1.964- 14.280 and 1.286- 21.800×104 CFU/ g meat, in thighs they ranged 1.560- 12.640 and 3.42- 7.680 ×104 CFU/ g meat, and in breast ranged 0.770- 13.140 and 1.178- 8.440 ×104 CFU/ g meat in batches 1 and 2 respectively. The most probable number (MPN) of both total coliforms and fecal coliforms in the two batches were less than 1 CFU/ g meat in all samples that inspected. Significant differences were recorded among all marks and between both batches for each mark including the three types of meat while all samples were E. coli O157: H7, coagulase positive staphylococci, and Salmonella free

The Incidence and Health Economic Burden of Ischemic Amputation in Minnesota, 2005-2008

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe manifestation of peripheral artery disease (PAD), is associated with high rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and amputation, and has a high health economic cost. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of lower limb amputation, the most serious consequence of CLI, and to create a surveillance methodology for the incidence of ischemic amputation in Minnesota

Paclitaxel Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Suppresses Progression and Inflammation of Experimental Atherosclerosis in Rabbits

Paclitaxel drug-coated balloons (DCBs) reduce restenosis, but their overall safety has recently raised concerns. This study hypothesized that DCBs could lessen inflammation and reduce plaque progression. Using 25 rabbits with cholesterol feeding- and balloon injury-induced lesions, DCB-percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), plain PTA, or sham-PTA (balloon insertion without inflation) was investigated using serial intravascular near-infrared fluorescence−optical coherence tomography and serial intravascular ultrasound. In these experiments, DCB-PTA reduced inflammation and plaque burden in nonobstructive lesions compared with PTA or sham-PTA. These findings indicated the potential for DCBs to serve safely as regional anti-atherosclerosis therapy

The FReedom from Ischemic Events - New Dimensions for Survival (FRIENDS) registry: design of a prospective cohort study of patients with advanced peripheral artery disease

Background: Advanced lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD), whether presenting as acute limb ischemia (ALI) or chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI), is associated with high rates of cardiovascular ischemic events, amputation, and death. Past research has focused on strategies of revascularization, but few data are available that prospectively evaluate the impact of key process of care factors (spanning pre-admission, acute hospitalization, and post-discharge) that might contribute to improving short and long-term health outcomes. Methods/Design The FRIENDS registry is designed to prospectively evaluate a range of patient and health system care delivery factors that might serve as future targets for efforts to improve limb and systemic outcomes for patients with ALI or CLI. This hypothesis-driven registry was designed to evaluate the contributions of: (i) pre-hospital limb ischemia symptom duration, (ii) use of leg revascularization strategies, and (iii) use of risk-reduction pharmacotherapies, as pre-specified factors that may affect amputation-free survival. Sequential patients would be included at an index “vascular specialist-defined” ALI or CLI episode, and patients excluded only for non-vascular etiologies of limb threat. Data including baseline demographics, functional status, co-morbidities, pre-hospital time segments, and use of medical therapies; hospital-based use of revascularization strategies, time segments, and pharmacotherapies; and rates of systemic ischemic events (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization, and death) and limb ischemic events (e.g., hospitalization for revascularization or amputation) will be recorded during a minimum of one year follow-up. Discussion The FRIENDS registry is designed to evaluate the potential impact of key factors that may contribute to adverse outcomes for patients with ALI or CLI. Definition of new “health system-based” therapeutic targets could then become the focus of future interventional clinical trials for individuals with advanced PAD

Ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed thrombolysis vs anticoagulation alone for acute intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism: Rationale and design of the HI-PEITHO study

BACKGROUND: Due to the bleeding risk of full-dose systemic thrombolysis and the lack of major trials focusing on the clinical benefits of catheter-directed treatment, heparin antiocoagulation remains the standard of care for patients with intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS AND RESULTS: The Higher-Risk Pulmonary Embolism Thrombolysis (HI-PEITHO) study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04790370) is a multinational multicenter randomized controlled parallel-group comparison trial. Patients with: (1) confirmed acute PE; (2) evidence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on imaging; (3) a positive cardiac troponin test; and (4) clinical criteria indicating an elevated risk of early death or imminent hemodynamic collapse, will be randomized 1:1 to treatment with a standardized protocol of ultrasound-facilitated catheter-directed thrombolysis plus anticoagulation, vs anticoagulation alone. The primary outcome is a composite of PE-related mortality, cardiorespiratory decompensation or collapse, or non-fatal symptomatic and objectively confirmed PE recurrence, within 7 days of randomization. Further assessments cover, apart from bleeding complications, a broad spectrum of functional and patient-reported outcomes including quality of life indicators, functional status and the utilization of health care resources over a 12-month follow-up period. The trial plans to include 406 patients, but the adaptive design permits a sample size increase depending on the results of the predefined interim analysis. As of May 11, 2022, 27 subjects have been enrolled. The trial is funded by Boston Scientific Corporation and through collaborative research agreements with University of Mainz and The PERT Consortium. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the outcome, HI-PEITHO will establish the first-line treatment in intermediate-high risk PE patients with imminent hemodynamic collapse. The trial is expected to inform international guidelines and set the standard for evaluation of catheter-directed reperfusion options in the future