University of Jordan

About: University of Jordan is a education organization based out in Amman, Jordan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 7796 authors who have published 13764 publications receiving 213526 citations.

High relative frequency of oral squamous cell carcinoma in Yemen: Qat and tobacco chewing as its aetiological background

Abstract: To study the association of qat chewing with the occurrence of oral cancer, the frequency of oral cancer among whole body cancers and the patients' histories of tobacco consumption and qat chewing were examined in Yemen where qat chewing has been most popular. All primary malignant tumors listed in the surgical pathology files at Al-Thawra Hospital, University of Sana'a, in the year 2004 were analyzed, and the patients' histories of tobacco consumption and qat chewing were examined. A total of 649 cases of primary malignant tumors (348, 53.6% males and 301, 46.4% females) were extracted. Oral cancer was the most frequent body cancer in both males (17.2%) and females (19.6%). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most frequent oral cancer (84%), and the tongue (42%), gingiva (23%) and buccal mucosa (20%) were the most common sites. Among the 119 patients with oral cancer, information on chewing habits and smoking was obtained in 92 patients (77.3%). There were 70 tobacco chewers (76.1%), 55 qat chewers (59.8%), and 22 smokers (23.9%). Simultaneous chewing of tobacco and qat was found in 48 cases (52.2%). The present survey has disclosed for the first time that oral SCC is the most frequent cancer in this study area in Yemen, and that the high relative frequency of oral SCC may be related to the habits of chewing tobacco and qat.

Effects of increased pCO 2 on zinc uptake and calcification in the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata

Abstract: Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for corals. We investigated the effects of ocean acidification on zinc incorporation, photosynthesis, and gross calcification in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata. Colonies were maintained at normal pHT (8.1) and at two low-pH conditions (7.8 and 7.5) for 5 weeks. Corals were exposed to 65Zn dissolved in seawater to assess uptake rates. After 5 weeks, corals raised at pHT (8.1) exhibited higher 65Zn activity in the coral tissue and skeleton, compared with corals raised at a lower pH. Photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, and gross calcification, measured by 45Ca incorporation, were however unchanged even at the lowest pH.

Seasonal and diurnal variations of BTEX and their potential for ozone formation in the urban background atmosphere of the coastal city Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Past measurements of volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations from Middle Eastern countries are very few, and this study assesses the concentrations and processes affecting benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) in the atmosphere of an urban background area of Jeddah, a coastal city in Saudi Arabia, and their potential for ozone formation. The measurements were carried out for a year (from December 2011 to November 2012) and include hourly BTEX and meteorological parameters. The annual average concentrations of BTEX species were 0.41 ppb for benzene, 1.40 ppb for toluene, 0.49 ppb for ethylbenzene, 1.56 ppb for m,p-xylene and 0.94 ppb for o-xylene. The annual mean benzene level (0.41 ppb, ∼1.31 μg m−3) did not exceed the annual threshold level (5 μg m−3) set by the European Union but still represents a small risk to human health. BTEX showed a seasonal variation, with higher concentrations during the spring and lower concentrations during the autumn. The diurnal variation of BTEX concentrations followed a commonly observed pattern, with two peaks associated with high traffic volumes. m,p-Xylene was the largest contributor to ozone formation potential followed by o-xylene, toluene and benzene. The significantly positive correlation between BTEX compounds as well as the ratio of toluene/benzene (average = 4.03) suggested that vehicle emissions were the major source of BTEX during the whole investigated period. m,p-Xylene-to-ethylbenzene ratios showed an annual mean of 3.18 with little variability during the different seasons indicating that the photochemical age in the study area is relatively young due to the continual fresh emissions experienced in Jeddah city.

Long-term efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A injections to treat blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Abstract: Background To evaluate efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A injections after more than 10 consecutive years of treatment for benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. Design Retrospective chart review at university-affiliated hospital. Participants Study consisted of 64 patients treated with botulinum toxin A injections between October 2005 and May 2006. Methods Inclusion criteria included patients treated with at least one annual botulinum toxin-A injection for more than 10 consecutive years. Data collected included diagnoses and patient characteristics, injection dates, doses administered at each visit, response scores, duration of effect, and adverse events. Main Outcome Measures Included changes in doses, response scores, duration of effects, and adverse events between the first and last botulinum toxin A injections. Results Thirty-two of 64 patients (mean age at first injection, 57.2 ± 12.4 years; 25 women) met the inclusion criteria. The mean duration of follow up was 14.1 ± 3.1 years (range 10–20 years; mean total visits 44.4 ± 19). A higher mean injection dose per visit was administered during the last year compared with the first year (26.8 ± 10.3 vs. 22.5 ± 7.5 units, respectively) (P = 0.003). The mean durations of effect during the first and last years were 12.4 ± 7.1 and 14.6 ± 7.0 weeks, respectively (P = 0.076). There were no significant differences between genders or between benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm subgroups. The most common adverse events were ptosis, lagophthalmos and dry eye. Conclusions Botulinum toxin A is an effective, safe, long-term treatment for patients with benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. Sustained treatment efficacy required higher doses; however, fewer adverse reactions developed.