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وبائية الطفيلات المعوية فى قطاع غزة: مشكلة صحية مستمرة"
No full textIntestinal parasitic diseases remain to be one of the greatest health problems in the developing world. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide continue to be affected by intestinal parasitic infections. Intestinal parasites and other parasitic diseases are endemic in the Gaza Strip for decades, despite the improvement in infrastructure as in other developing countries. The existence and fluctuation of the intestinal parasites and other parasitic
diseases should be considered while health planning, as infections can lead to malnutrition, anemia, cognitive ability, and other health problems. Due to the many unfavorable health conditions in the Gaza Strip, these intestinal parasites continue to survive. There are many reports on parasitic diseases in the Gaza Strip, including the epidemiology of intestinal parasites, prevalence, diagnosis, the association between intestinal parasites and malnutrition and environmental contamination caused by these parasites, and sexually transmitted parasiticdiseases such as Trichomonas vaginalis. This chapter discusses infections with intestinal parasites and other parasitic diseases in the Gaza Strip, and its treatments in children and adults. The challenges encountered during diagnosis and the associated risk factors are also addressed, followed by some proposed solutions to decrease/minimize further increases in infections with intestinal parasites in the Gaza Strip
The occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii on raw leafy Vegetables in Gaza – Palestine
No full textToxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous obligate intracellular parasite that can infect homeothermic animals, is one of the main pathogens causing foodborne diseases worldwide. In Gaza, Palestine, leafy vegetables are frequently eaten raw. The present study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of T. gondii oocyst in local leafy vegetables. Fifty samples each of six species of leafy plants sold in open-air markets, in supermarkets, and by retail sellers were randomly collected from March to August 2019, for a total of 300 samples. The samples were examined by light microscopy after flotation in Sheather's sucrose solution and by PCR assay of the pelleted samples. All suspect T. gondii oocysts were confirmed with a PCR assay. With the PCR assay of the pelleted samples, only 19 ( 6.33% of the 300 samples were positive for T. gondii, whereas with the Sheather's flotation method, 35 ( 11.66% of the 300 samples were positive. With the PCR assay, among the six plant types mint had the highest T. gondii prevalence ( 10.00% of samples followed by watercress and dill ( both 8.00% , parsley ( 6.00% , thyme ( 4.00% , and lettuce ( 2.00% . Even though the relative prevalence of T. gondii in the contaminated plant species was similar with both the PCR and Sheather's flotation methods, the actual prevalences were different. With Sheather's flotation, T. gondii prevalence was highest in mint ( 18.00% of samples followed by watercress ( 14.00% , dill ( 13.00% , parsley ( 10.00% , thyme ( 10.00% , and lettuce ( 6.00% . The relationship between T. gondii contamination and the time of year the samples were collected was also significant. The highest prevalence recorded was in July followed by June and August. These findings indicate that leafy vegetables, particularly mint, can be contaminated with T. gondii and are a potential risk factor for transmitting T. gondii to humans in Gaza, Palestine
Trends of intestinal parasites prevalence in the Gaza Strip, 1998–2007: the use of government health records
No full textAim: To evaluate the amount of intestinal parasite infections over a 10-year period in the Gaza Strip.
Materials and methods: Data from the Epidemiology Department, Ministry of Health were collected and analyzed statistically. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was monitored and studied for the period 1998–2007.
Results: The present study shows results including the records of 471,688 patients ( all ages who had every provided 1 stool specimen to the laboratories of primary health care centers in one of the 5 governorates of the Gaza Strip. It was found that 116,261 specimens were positive for intestinal parasites, representing an overall prevalence of 24.6%. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were the most frequently detected intestinal parasites; there is a clear variation in the prevalence of intestinal parasites due to season.
Conclusion: Intestinal parasites still constitute a health problem and there were fluctuations in the prevalence from 1998 to 2007. It is recommended that there is a need for health authorities to review health records periodically and examination of stool specimens by one method should be reviewed
Occurrence of Toxoplasmosis and other intestinal parasites among stray Cats in Khanyounis Governorate, Palestine
No full textZoonotic parasitic diseases transmitted from animals to human is of concern on the health of the public. The present study was carried out to examine the occurrence of T. gondii and other zoonotic enteric parasites including protozoa and helminthes of stray cats in Khanyounis, Gaza strip, Palestine. A cross-sectional study was performed on 93 stray cats
which trapped from Khanyounis governorate, and dissected; the observed parasites ( cestodes, nematodes and treamatodes were isolated and processed according parasitology standards methods. Faecal sample was examined by wet mount and flotation for T. gondii detection and other protozoa. The present study included 44 males cat ( 47.3% and 49 females ( 52.7% . The general prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was found to be 90 ( 96.8% . T. gondii was found to be 5 ( 5.4% , nematodes 41 ( 44.1% , cestodes 85 ( 91.4% and trematodes 23 ( 24.7% . The most common round worms were Toxocara cati, Toxocara leonina, while cestodes Diplopylidium genettae, Joyeuiella kofend and other unknown. It is concluded that zoonotic parasitic diseases especially toxoplasmosis present among stray cats in Khanyounis, Gaza Strip. It is recommended that awareness and education should takes place towards zoonotic diseases among Palestinian society
especially that stray cats and house cats are so prevalent in Gaza strip
Dientamoeba fragilis in Gaza Strip: a Neglected Protozoan Parasite
No full textBackground: The aim of this study was to detect Dientamoeba fragilis by iron haematoxylin stain, as well as its prevalence, and association between D. fragilis infection and diarrhoea among patients attending Al-Nuseirate Refugee Camp Clinic, Gaza Strip.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 children and adults with age ranges from ( 1 to 75 years old, attending Al-Nussirat Clinic, and who were complaining from clinical symptoms, like diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Results: 28 individuals were infected with D. fragilis with a prevalence of 8.8%. The detection of 28 cases infected with D. fragilis was proved using iron haematoxylin stain, but no case was detected by direct smear or formal-ether sedimentation technique. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain ( 96.4% and diarrhoea ( 71.4% in patients with diantamoebiasis and this was statistically significant ( P= 0.03 . Co-infection between D. fragilis and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was 50% and between D. fragilis and Giardia lamblia was 7.1%.
Conclusion: D. fragilis was present in the patients stool samples and was detected and proved using iron haematoxylin stain
مستوى الهيبسدين لدى النساء الحوامل المصابات بانيميا نقص الحديد في قطاع غزة: مجموعة مرضية – مجموعة ضابطة
No full textBackground: Hepcidin, a peptide hormone composed of 25 amino acids.
Hepcidin is synthesized mainly in the liver. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is
common during pregnancy and is associated with higher maternal
morbidity and mortality in Gaza strip. Understanding of hepcidin hormone
and its role in iron metabolism could lead to a new sensitive indicator for
earlier detection of cases with IDA. Objective: To assess hepcidin status
among IDA pregnant women and its relationship with some biochemical
variables in Gaza strip. Materials and methods: A case control study
comprised 45 IDA pregnant women and 45 apparently healthy pregnant
women. Questionnaire interviews were applied among the study
population. Serum hepcidin and ferritin were measured by Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA), iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
were determined photometrically. Complete blood count (CBC) was also
performed. Transferrin and transferrin saturation were calculated. An
approval was obtained from Helsinki committee and ministry of health to
conduct this study. Overall data were computer analyzed using SPSS (Ver.
18). Results: The mean levels of serum hepcidin, iron, transferrin
saturation, and ferritin in cases were significantly lower compared to
those of controls (2.6±4 ng/ml, 63.2±25.3 µg/dl, 15.6±8.0% and 8.0±9.7
ng/ml versus 7.5±7.3 ng/ml, 77.7±22.9 µg/dl, 23.5±8.0% and 15.4±14.3
ng/ml respectively with P=0.000). The Pearson correlation test showed
that positive significant correlations between hepcidin levels and serum
iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (P<0.001). On the other hand,
negative significant correlations were showed with TIBC and transferrin
(P<0.001). Conclusions: Serum hepcidin level has a relationship with
anemia among pregnant women. Therefore, monitoring of hepcidin levels
can play an important role in management of anemia among pregnant
women.المقدمة: الييبسدين ىو ىرمون ببتيدي يتكون من 52حمض اميني ويصنع الييبسدين اساسا في الكبد
وىوشائع اثناء الحمل ويرتبط مع ارتفاع معدلات الاعتلال والوفيات النفاسية في قطاع غزة. نقص الحديد
ىو السبب الأكثر شيوعا لفقر الدم عند النساء الحوامل. فيم ىرمون الييبسدين ودوره فى ايض الحديد قد
يؤدى الى ايجاد مؤشرات جديدة لمكشف المبكر عن الحالات المصابة بأنيميا نقص الحديد
الهدف: تقييم مستوى الييبسدين لدى النساء الحوامل المصابات بانيميا نقص الحديد في قطاع غزة وعلاقتو
ببعض المتغيرات البيوكيميائية.
الطرق والأدوات: منيج الدراسة (مجموعة مرضية – مجموعة ضابطة) المجموعة المرضية تحتوي عمى
52امراة حامل مصابة بانيميا نقص الحديد والمجموعة الضابطة تحتوي عمى 52من النساء الحوامل
الغير مصابين بانيميا نقص الحديد وقد تم الحصول عمى البيانات المستخدمة في الدراسة من خلال
المقابمة المباشرة وتم قياس مستوى الييبسدين والفرتين بواسطة تقنية ،ELISAكما تم تحديد مستوى الحديد
والحديد المرتبط وكذلك مكونات الدم .وتم حساب نواقل الحديد والنواقل المشبعة. وقد تم اخذ البعد الاخلاقي
لمدراسة حيث تم الحصول عمى موافقة من لجنة ىمنسكي المحمية. تم تحميل البيانات والنتائج باستخدام
البرنامج الاحصائي المحوسب .SPSS
النتائج: كان متوسط مستوى الييبسدين والحديد ومخزون الحديد في الدم ونواقل الحديد المشبعة اقل وذات
دلالة احصائية في المرضى منيا في المجموعة الضابطة ولقد اظيرت النتائج وجود علاقة طردية بين
مستوى ىرمون الييبسدين والحديد ومخزون الحديد والنواقل المشبعة في الدم وكانت نتيجة مستوى الحديد
المرتبط ونواقل الحديد اعمى بدلالة احصائية في المجموعة المرضية منيا في المجموعة الضابطة. اظيرت
النتائج أيضا وجود علاقة عكسية ذات دلالة احصائية بين مستوى ىرمون الييبسدين والحديد المرتبط
ونواقل الحديد وكان متوسط مستوى كرات الدم الحمراء والييموجموبين والييماتوكريت ومتوسط حجم الخمية
ومتوسط ىيموجموبين الخمية ومتوسط تركيز ىيموجموبين الخمية اقل في المجموعة المرضية منيا في
المجموعة الضابطة وقد كانت النتائج ذات دلالة احصائية. وكان مستوى عرض توزيع كرات الدم الحمراء
( )RDWاعمى في المجموعة المرضية منيا في المجموعة الضابطة وقد كانت النتيجة ذات دلالة
احصائية وقد اظيرت النتائج ايضا وجود علاقة طردية بدلالة احصائية بين مستوى ىرمون الييبسدين
وكرات الدم الحمراء والييموجموبين.
الاستنتاج: تركيز مستوى ىرمون الييبسدين اقل عند النساء الحوامل المصابات بانيما نقص الحديد عن
النساء الحوامل الغير مصابات بانيما نقص الحديد ولوحظ ان ىناك علاقة طردية بين مستوى ىرمون
الييبسدين والحديد ومخزون الحديد ونواقل الحديد المشبعة وعكسية بين الييبسدين والحديد المرتبط وناقل
الحديد. من المستحسن اجراء مزيد من الدراسات لتقييم دور الييبسدين في تشخيص أنيميا نقص الحديد
بمراحل مختمفة عند النساء الحوامل
Mechanical Properties of Silica Fume Modified High-Volume Fly Ash Rubberized Self-Compacting Concrete
No full textThe existing form of self-compacting concrete (SCC) comprises of a large amount of powdered and fine materials. In this study, a part of the cementitious material was replaced with constant high-volume fly ash, and a portion of fine aggregates was substituted by crumb rubber (CR). Besides that, silica fume (SF) was added, with the hope that by implementing a new type of nanomaterial, the loss in mechanical strength due to previous modifications such as rubberization and replacement will be prevented. Two variables were found to influence the constituent/component in the mix design: SF and CR. The proportion of SF varies from 0% to 10%, while that of CR from 0% to 30% by volume of the total river sand, where 55% of cement was replaced by the fly ash. A total of 13 rubberized SCC samples with CR and SF as controlling variables were made, and their design mix was produced by a Design of Experiment (DOE) under the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results reveal a slight increase in the mechanical properties with the addition of SF. The theoretical mathematical models and equation for each different mechanical strength were also developed after incorporating the experimental results into the software.The existing form of self-compacting concrete (SCC) comprises of a large amount of powdered and fine materials. In this study, a part of the cementitious material was replaced with constant high-volume fly ash, and a portion of fine aggregates was substituted by crumb rubber (CR). Besides that, silica fume (SF) was added, with the hope that by implementing a new type of nanomaterial, the loss in mechanical strength due to previous modifications such as rubberization and replacement will be prevented. Two variables were found to influence the constituent/component in the mix design: SF and CR. The proportion of SF varies from 0% to 10%, while that of CR from 0% to 30% by volume of the total river sand, where 55% of cement was replaced by the fly ash. A total of 13 rubberized SCC samples with CR and SF as controlling variables were made, and their design mix was produced by a Design of Experiment (DOE) under the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results reveal a slight increase in the mechanical properties with the addition of SF. The theoretical mathematical models and equation for each different mechanical strength were also developed after incorporating the experimental results into the software
Effect of crumb rubber on the punching shear behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs with openings
No full textThis study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete incorporated with crumb rubber (CR), i.e. rubberised concrete, and investigate the punching shear behaviour of rubberised concrete slabs with openings adjacent to columns. For this purpose, four concrete mixtures with different percentages (0%, 5%, 10% and 20%) of CR as volume replacement for fine aggregates were prepared. Twelve slabs were cast (i.e. three slabs for each mixture). One slab had no opening, the second slab had an opening with a size of 100×100 mm2 and the third slab had an opening with a size of 150×150 mm2. Results showed that the use of CR exerted a negative effect on the mechanical properties of concrete. Meanwhile, the addition of up to 5% CR caused a slight reduction in the compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength of rubberised concrete. The experimental results indicated that the punching shear strength and stiffness of rubberised concrete slabs decreased with increasing CR. However, the toughness of the test specimens increased by using CR content up to 5% and then declined for 10% and 20% CR contents. Openings in flat slabs adjacent to the column face cause a significant reduction in punching shear strength, and punching shear strength decreases with an increase in opening size. Finally, the accuracy of four design code equations, namely ACI 318-2014, ECP 203, BS8110 and Euro -2 in predicting the punching strength of rubberised concrete slabs with or without openings is evaluated and compared with the experimental results.This study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete incorporated with crumb rubber (CR), i.e. rubberised concrete, and investigate the punching shear behaviour of rubberised concrete slabs with openings adjacent to columns. For this purpose, four concrete mixtures with different percentages (0%, 5%, 10% and 20%) of CR as volume replacement for fine aggregates were prepared. Twelve slabs were cast (i.e. three slabs for each mixture). One slab had no opening, the second slab had an opening with a size of 100×100 mm2 and the third slab had an opening with a size of 150×150 mm2. Results showed that the use of CR exerted a negative effect on the mechanical properties of concrete. Meanwhile, the addition of up to 5% CR caused a slight reduction in the compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength of rubberised concrete. The experimental results indicated that the punching shear strength and stiffness of rubberised concrete slabs decreased with increasing CR. However, the toughness of the test specimens increased by using CR content up to 5% and then declined for 10% and 20% CR contents. Openings in flat slabs adjacent to the column face cause a significant reduction in punching shear strength, and punching shear strength decreases with an increase in opening size. Finally, the accuracy of four design code equations, namely ACI 318-2014, ECP 203, BS8110 and Euro -2 in predicting the punching strength of rubberised concrete slabs with or without openings is evaluated and compared with the experimental results