The Relationship Between Premature Myocardial Infarction with TC/HDL-C Ratio Subgroups in a Multiple Risk Factor Model

Introduction: So far, there is no evidence available to demonstrate the relationship between five subgroups of total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio with premature myocardial infarction (MI). Objective: We conducted a case control study to probe more features of the relation between TC/HDL-C ratio and the five subgroups of the ratio with myocardial infarction under 55 years and above it. Method: A hospital based case control study with incident cases was designed. Cases and controls were comprised of 523 under 55-year and 699 above 55-year documented newly diagnosed MI cases, respectively. Standardized clinical and para clinical method were used to ascertain disease and risk factors. Independent sample t-test, Pearson chi square test, Odds ratios and Mantel-Haenszel test and logistic regression analysis conducted to evaluate relationships. Results: This study enrolled 1222 MI cases.  Patients with very low risk category of TC/HDL-C ratio estimated OR=0.18 with 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.04-0.72) for developing MI under 55 years. Patients who had low risk category of TC/HDL-C ratio having OR=0.26 95% CI (0.07-0.89). Low risk and very low risk categories of the TC/HDL-C ratio compare to high risk subgroup of the ratio demonstrate decreased risk of developing MI under 55 years p<0.05. Conclusion: Our study results can be translated as an aggressive treatment for lowering TC/HDL-C ratio in both general population and victims of coronary events. Mitigation of the level of TC/HDL-C ratio from low risk to very low risk category will attenuate the risk of MI under55 years about 8% which is the immediate clinical implication of our findings

Recurrent mediastinal lipoma: a case report

Mediastinal lipoma (ML) is a rare entity. Though the mediastinum is the most common site of intrathoracic lipoma, ML constitutes less than 1% of all mediastinal tumours. ML frequently presents on incidental radiographic finding, CT scan is considered the investigation of choice. CT features of lipoma are quite characteristic. They are clinically significant because: (1) Despite their benign nature, these tumours tend to reach an enormous size and can cause compression of lungs and mediastinal structures; (2) It may not always be possible to differentiate a ML from a liposarcoma by CT or MRI alone. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2012; 6(1): 37-3

Physiological and electrophysiological evaluation of the hearing system in low birth weight neonates treated with cholestin: a cohort study

Abstract Background Infections in neonates are mainly caused by sepsis and are the most important complications of low birth weight. In the treatment of these infections, it is common to use broad-spectrum antibiotics such as cholestin. Cholestin can cause changes in the latency of brainstem-evoked response waves. The current cohort study tried to investigate the probability of changes caused by cholestin in LBW neonates and benefiting from two common tests to identify the hearing system in neonates after treatment by cholestin and compared them with a control group. Methods The study was an exposure-based cohort, during which hearing damage caused by receiving cholestin was evaluated in 104 low birth weight neonates, in two groups (52 exposure and 52 no-exposure to cholestin). OAE and ABR tests were performed at the age of 3 months to identify complications in two groups and their results were compared. Results The absolute latency of waves I, III, and V in the brainstem evoked response test with an intensity of 80 dB Hl showed a significant difference in the exposure group with the control group. The interpeak latency of the waves as well as the effect of the drug on the gender of the infants did not show significant differences with the control group. Conclusion Cholestin did not affect the axonal or synaptic transmission time of the auditory nerve to the brainstem. It is possible that the simultaneous presence of risk factors, such as the use of cholestin, low birth weight, noises in the intensive care unit, and other unknown factors, can be effective in the change of the absolute latency of waves