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Background We investigated associations between tobacco exposure, history of schistosomiasis and bladder cancer risk in Egypt. Methods We analyzed data from a case-control study (1,886 newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed cases and 2,716 age-, gender-, and residence-matched, population-based controls). Using logistic regression we estimated the covariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the associations. Results Among men, cigarette smoking was associated with an increased risk of urothelial carcinoma (UC) (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4, 2.2), but not squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); smoking both waterpipes and cigarettes was associated with an even greater risk for UC (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 2.1, 3.9) and a statistically significant risk for SCC (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2, 2.6). Among non-smoking men and women, to environmental tobacco smoke exposure was associated with an increased risk of UC. History of schistosomiasis was associated with increased risk of both UC (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2, 2.9) and SCC (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2, 3.0) in women and to a lesser extent (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2, 1.7 and OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.7, for UC and SCC respectively) in men. Conclusions The results suggest that schistosomiasis and tobacco smoking increase the risk of both SCC and UC. Impact This study provides new evidence for associations between bladder cancer subtypes and schistosomiasis, and suggests that smoking both cigarettes and waterpipes increases the risk for SCC and UC in Egyptian men.

This study shows that many individuals do not favour the donation of a blood sample for future research. Of those who do approve of such future research, many favour a consent model that includes an option restricting the future research to the illness being studied. Also, many Egyptians were hesitant to have their blood samples donated for genetic research or exported out of the Arab region to the USA and European countries. Further qualitative research should be performed to determine the underlying reasons for many of our results.

The common practice among pilgrims and medical personnel of using surgical facemasks to protect themselves against ARI should be discontinued and regular use of alcohol-based hand scrubs should be more vigorously encouraged. Further research is needed to evaluate the protective value of N95 facemasks against ARI during the Hajj period.

Objective To examine associations between reproductive history and urinary bladder cancer in Egyptian women. Methods We used questionnaire data from an ongoing, multicenter case-control study in Egypt. Controls were matched on age and residence area. This analysis focused on female cases with confirmed urothelial (UC) and squamous cell (SCC) carcinoma of the bladder. Results We recruited 779 women (540 controls, 239 cases; >98.0% nonsmokers). Younger age at menopause (<45 y) and older age at first pregnancy (>18 y) were factors significantly associated with increased risk of bladder cancer, even after adjusting for schistosomiasis history and other covariates in the multivariable logistic model; adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were 1.98 (1.41, 2.77) and 6.26 (3.46, 11.34), respectively. On the other hand, multiple pregnancies or use of oral contraceptives were associated with decreased odds of having bladder cancer. Similar associations were observed with UC and SCC when analyzed separately; however, the magnitude of association with SCC was lower than with UC. Conclusion Our data suggest that early estrogen exposure, or the relative lack of it, plays a role in urinary bladder carcinoma development among Egyptian women.

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We examined the awareness of and practices regarding patients' rights in one of the general hospitals in South Egypt. This cross-sectional study incorporated a convenience sample of the hospitalized patients and their companions (N = 292), as well as the actively working medical care providers (MCPs) at the time of data collection, 72 physicians and 48 nurses. Pretested structured questionnaires inquired about the way in which patients' rights are perceived by and exercised through the lived experiences of the sample group. An in-depth interview about patient rights' practices was conducted with the study hospital's highest-level manager. Three quarters of the patients and companions did not know about the list of patients' rights, compared to about half of the physicians and nurses--77%, 44%, and 48% respectively. Among those patients and companions who were knowledgeable about the list of patients' rights, mass media was their main source of knowledge, about eight times greater than their next source, placards on the hospital wall. The proportion of the physicians who stated undergraduate curriculum as a source of their knowledge was almost half that of the nurses. Strategies to promote awareness among MCPs, and to ensure effective supervision from both the Ministry of Health and local managers, should precede mass community patients' rights awareness efforts.

Objectives:To assess the prevalence of both impaction and associated pathosis in a Saudi population in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia based on digital panoramic radiographs.Methods:This study was carried out from December 2013 to February 2015. Panoramic radiographs of 359 male patients attending the Oral Diagnosis Clinics, Faculty of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia were reviewed. All images were evaluated to determine the prevalence and pattern of impacted third molars and canines, and associated pathosis.Results:Among 359 panoramic radiographs examined, 124 patients had impacted teeth. The impacted mandibular third molars were the most prevalent impacted teeth, 77.6% had class II pattern of impaction. Among the impacted maxillary canines, 75% were mesioangular and among 66 impacted maxillary third molars, 63.6% had class C. Our study showed that 5.8% of Saudi patients had 3 or more impacted teeth, 13.1% had 2 impacted teeth, and 15.6% had one impacted tooth. Associated pathosis was found in 18.2% among impacted maxillary third molars, and 31.5% among impacted mandibular third molars. The incidence of impaction decreases with age.Conclusion:The prevalence and pattern of impacted third molars among Saudis are almost similar to other racial populations. The number of missing wisdom increases with age. Although the percentage of pathosis associated with impaction was considerably low, it is essential to carry you regular oral examinations to preserve asymptomatic impacted teeth in good health.