Abstract: Solitary lipomas and familial multiple lipomatosis are the most common benign tumors and are very well encapsulated. They are very slow growing and have the potential for recurrence if incompletely excised and a very remote chance for malignant changes. These can be freed from surrounding tissue without difficulty, but because of the fibrous nature of the capsule, its violation is more likely with suction technique and may result in an inadequate resection, possibly leading to recurrence. Furthermore, liposuction alone will not allow histopathological study of the swellings. Therefore, we report here the treatment of moderate (>4–10 cm) and large (>10 cm) lipomas with liposuction-assisted surgical extraction of the capsule via the same wound (1 cm in length). This capsule extraction is aimed at avoiding recurrence and evaluating the histopathological nature of these swellings. 16 patients (nine men and seven women) presented with solitary lipomas (in 11 patients) and multiple lipomas (in five patients) have been successfully treated.

Abstract: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection has not often been related to the development of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). However, the close temporal relationship noted between varicella infection and the onset of GBS suggests the participation of VZV in the etiopathogenesis of GBS. Very few cases have been reported showing this relationship. This report describes 2 cases highly suggestive of this association.

Abstract: 2Dept of ChemicalEngineering, Universityof Leeds, UK 'Dept of Chemical and Process Engineering, Universityof Surrey, U ! H.A.Ahmedl,A.Sharif' C % M.Ghadiri2 Abstract pressure-driven parabolic Poiseuille-type flow. converging circular (tapered) tube. The sphere is located on the axis of the tube in a spherical particle positioned in an accelerated flow of Newtonian fluids inside a This paper presents the numerical results of the hydrodynamic drag force acting on a

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between drivers’ personal and social characteristics with respect to their driving time accident involvement and seat belt utilization. The studied characteristics include : years of driving experience, marital status, educational background, and monthly income. The study area covers two of the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, due to lack of proper related data a questionnaire was randomly distributed to achieve the above goals. Random sampling technique employed here is a stratified one. The stratification was based on occupation. The questionnaire was distributed to over 4200 drivers in the two states. However, 1893 responded back (i.e. 45%). The questionnaire illustrated the necessary questions in a short answer form. Findings indicate that drivers of different educational backgrounds and marital status do not differ significantly in being involved in accidents, of their fault or otherwise. However, one out of each three unmarried drivers’ accidents was due to respondent own fault. That for married drivers was one out of each four to five accidents. As the driving experience increases, the accident rate decreases. Moreover income showed no significant influence on drivers’ accident involvement and seat belt usage. Drivers who rarely use their seat belts are significantly less educated than those who always or sometimes fasten their seat belts. Drivers’ experience tend to increase the tendency of seat belt utilization.

Abstract: To correlate standard tuberculin skin test (TST) results in children diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB), data was collected retrospectively from the tuberculosis treatment unit, State of Qatar, during the period 1992 to 1996. Sixtysix patients with confirmed tuberculosis included 42 (64%) with pulmonary TB, 24 (36%) with extra-pulmonary TB, 34 Qatar nationals (52%) and 36 females (55%). Mean TST was 13.5 mm ± 9.8mm. TST was negative in 18 (27%), 5-10 mm in three (5%), 10-15 mm in eight (12%) and 15mm or more in 37 (56%) patients. Lower false negative (reaction less than 10mm) was found in five (18%) of the older children (10 to 14 years). It is concluded that, since one-third of the children with confirmed active tuberculosis had a false negative TST, clinical judgement remains the essential determinant. However, TST remains a potent aide for epidemiological and diagnostic purposes and periodic assessment of this is highly recommended.

Abstract: Howell-Jolly bodies (HJB) are composed ofDNA which will apparently take the fluorescent dye used to stain the chromatin bodies of the malarial parasites (MP). While evaluating a capillary tube/fluorescent staining technique for malaria we came across this previously unreported false positive effect of HJB in ten cases, all negative microscopically for MP and not originally requested for that test All gave positive results, the degree of which correlated well with the frequency of HJB. The positivity concentrated in the upper red cell layer of the capillary tube where MP rings also concentrate.

Abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive, deep-seated infection of the fascia and subcutaneous fat with necrosis of the overlying skin, and it is a toxin-mediated disease. The aim of this study was to review 13 cases of necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and the external genitalia region with regard to the diagnosis, treatment, and methods of reconstruction of secondary defects. The study was performed from June 1997 to May 2001 and involved 11 men and 2 women who ranged in age from 35 to 67 years (mean age, 53 years). All patients presented to the plastic surgery unit with huge secondary defects of the urogenital region, upper thigh, and lower abdomen after being excised initially by general surgeons. Eight patients were treated with bilateral flaps, and the unilateral flap was used in 2 patients. The V-Y island fasciocutaneous flap, used to resurface the urogenital region after necrotizing fasciitis, is considered a new indication. The V-Y axial-pattern design of the flap is also considered a new modification, which enabled the flap to be advanced and tailored nicely in the midline. The idea of using the V-Y-plasty design is raised because the perineum has a pair of symmetrical anatomic structures. In addition, this procedure conserves tissue and the flap donor site is closed primarily without tension. Both aesthetic and functional results were satisfactory.

Abstract: Thirty-five genera and 73 species, were identifiedfrom 312 daily exposures set up during theperiod March 1997–March 1998. The total fungalcatch exhibited two peaks in July and December1997 and a trough in February 1998. Cladosporium (6 spp. 40.1% of total fungi),Alternaria (4 spp., 21%) andUlocladium (4 spp., 9.2%) were the maincomponents of air-borne fungi, and thecommonest species were Cladosporium.sphaerospermum (29.7%), C.cladosporioides (6.9%), Alternaria.alternata (13.9%) and U. atrum (5%).The predominance of these dark-coloured fungiin air is discussed and is attributed to one orboth of two hypotheses. Aspergillus (9spp., 4.3%) and Penicillium (8 spp.,3.95%) came next and were represented mainlyby A.niger (1.3%) andP. chrysogenum (2.4%).Spore showers of C.cladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Myrotheciumverrucaria were noticed with no regularseasonal pattern.The monthly number of species ranalmost parallel to the total count of fungi.The broadest species spectrum (25–29 spp.) wasrecorded in the summer months May–August 1997and the narrowest (11–12 spp.) in February andMarch 1998.The highest monthly wind velocity wasregularly associated with higher fungal colonycounts than in case of the lowest velocity. Onthe other hand, wind direction did not exhibitany regular correlation either with the colonycounts of fungi or with the wind velocity. Highwind velocity could bring more fungal spores tobe sedimented on the surface of exposed agar.Diurnal fluctuations of fungal spores offungi displayed one peak at 12 noon when thehighest temperature and wind velocity, and theleast relative humidity were recorded and onetrough at midnight.

Abstract: Acute torticollis due to non-traumatic atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) is often seen in children presenting with inflammatory conditions of the upper respiratory tract and the neck. Grisel's syndrome is the eponym given to this condition. These patients may present earlier in the disease process without evident subluxation. Thus, early recognition of the condition with prompt commencement of appropriate conservative treatment could halt the progression into Grisel's syndrome. The purpose of this study is to address the importance of early recognition of inflammatory torticollis that can be treated successfully by conservative methods. A retrospective review was made of the case files and radiological investigations of 13 children with fever and torticollis who were treated in the neurosurgery unit of Hamad General Hospital in Qatar, over a two-year period from July 1996 to July 1998. The children were aged between three and 12 years with a male to female ratio of 3:1. All patients arrived at the hospital within 48 hours of onset of torticollis and almost all had manifestations of upper respiratory tract or head and neck infections. Radiological examination by cervical spine X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed that only three cases out of 13 had AAS. All patients underwent conservative treatment that included rest, neck collar, simple analgesics and antibiotics, where appropriate. A muscle relaxant was used in nine cases and Halter traction was applied to the three with AAS. All patients responded well to treatment and none required surgical intervention for AAS. We conclude that the majority of children presenting acutely with inflammatory torticollis have rotational deformity only without AAS. Progression to the latter, i.e. Grisel's syndrome, may be aborted should the diagnosis be made early and conservative treatment initiated in time. On the other hand, delay in diagnosis would deprive these children an opportunity of receiving effective conservative treatment.

Abstract: The occurrence of aflatoxin in commodities imported into Qatar was investigated from 1999 to 2000. During the 4 years, 351 samples of susceptible commodities were analysed. Aflatoxin was detected in 71 (20%) samples in the range 0.1-20 μg kg-1 and in 50 (14%) samples above the permitted level of 20 μg kg-1. The highest incidence and levels of aflatoxin contamination were recorded in pistachio without shell followed by pistachio with shell. Aflatoxin levels >20 μg kg-1 in the pistachio samples varied from 8.7 to 33%. The highest level of total aflatoxin found in pistachio without shell was 289 μg kg-1. A few samples of corn and corn products (three of 54 analysed), peanut and peanut products (nine of 42 analysed) and other nuts like almond, walnut and cashew (one of 40 analysed) were found contaminated with low levels (0.1-20 μg kg-1) of aflatoxins. Only one sample of custard powder and one sample of roasted peanut were found with aflatoxin >20 μg kg-1