Background: To describe the characteristics, clinical presentations, management and complications of snakebites in the border region between Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Buraimi, Sultanate of Oman.
Methodology/principal Findings: We carried out a retrospective review of medical records to study snakebite cases over four-year duration at three tertiary hospitals. Overall, 64 snakebite cases were studied with median hospitalization of 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 1-4) days.
Background: Evidence shows that there is an increase in concentrations of markers of endothelial dysfunction immediately following acute ischaemic stroke. Several studies suggest that endothelial dysfunction may be partly caused by oxidation related to the effects of raised total plasma homocysteine.
Objective: The aim of this study was to measure changes in total plasma homocysteine and markers of endothelial dysfunction in stroke disease within a known period of time post infarct.
Background: Cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, are highly prevalent in the United Arab Emirates. In spite of significant awareness initiatives, little is known about the potential benefits of controlling these risk factors.
Aims: To assess the prevalence of preventable risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), and the likely benefits of controlling these risk factors.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) constitute a significant risk and may, in part, explain the high morbidity and mortality rates among haemodialysis (HD) patients. Several studies have implicated reduced insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) levels in the development of CVD. However, it is not clear whether IGF-1, and its relationship with other hormones such as leptin, insulin, and growth hormone (GH), as well as anthropometric variables may explain the high incidence of vascular complications in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Racial variations are reported in the natural history of hypertension. For example, hypertension is significantly more prevalent in blacks than whites. Endothelial cells are important regulators of vascular tone and homeostasis, in part through secretions of vasoactive substances including endothelin-1 (ET-1), a small peptide with potent vasopressor actions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hypertension, notably untreated or uncontrolled, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) morbidity and mortality. In countries in transition, little is known about the epidemiology of hypertension, and its biochemical correlates. This study was carried out in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, to characterize self-reported (SR) normotensives and hypertensives in terms of actual hypertension status, demographic variables, CVD risk factors, treatment, and sequalae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: In end-stage renal failure, dyslipoproteinemia is linked to risk of cardiovascular disease. Increased concentrations of triacylglycerol-rich, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and decreased concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) are usual, whilst total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations are not increased. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are not transported by lipoproteins, but increased concentrations may also be associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
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