From the Editor
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Abdul Abyad, MD, MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE (Chief Editor)

Address correspondence to:
Abdul Abyad, MD, MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE (Editor)
Abyad Medical Center & Middle East Longevity Institute
Azmi Street, Abdo Center, 2nd Floor
PO BOX 618, Tripoli LEBANON
Tel & Fax: 961 6 443684/5/6
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
Web: www.amc-lb.com

This is the eighth issue this year and the current issue is rich with valuable papers from the region. Dr Elghiblawi E reviewed a topic of great importance in the middle east, that is the process of writing a Scientific Paper for publication. Dr Elghiblawi stressed that writing up is a daunting task; it involves a great deal of planning, preparation and time; it is simply a skill born from practice. In order to write, you need to read. The article supplies the researcher with a few simple guidelines on how to prepare, and write an organized scientific paper, which ranges from its early drafting in order to improve the manuscript, and then its final publication.

A paper from Turkey attempted to assess how many people have cancer patients (alive or dead) in their homes. The authors administered a questionnaire to 2035 people in 75 different parts of the city. There were 100 (4.9%) people who have been living with a patient diagnosed as cancer and 333 people (16.4%) who had a history of a patient dying from cancer in their home. The authors concluded that cancer is a part of our lives either with a patient in our house or a relative who has died from cancer. Public education and health services for home carers' are needed for many people to care for these cancer patients.

Dr Amro K did a randomized study to compare the use of Azithromycin and co-Amoxiclav in the treatment of symptoms and signs of acute suppurative otitis media in children. He noted satisfactory clinical response was measured regarding symptoms and signs two weeks after the beginning of therapy. They were 84.6% for Azithromycin and 88% for Co-Amoxiclav. At day 28, 61 patients (82.4%) were cured on Azithromycin compared with 66 patients (83.5 %) on Co-Amoxiclav. The author concluded that Azithromycin given for three days and Co-Amoxiclav for ten days had similar efficacy; however, Azithromycin was better tolerated.

A paper from Iran looked at the demographic and clinical features in 131 Iranian patients with cluster headache. The study was performed in the Isfahan Medical University from June 2006 to June 2007. 131 patients with definite cluster headache were selected randomly. The authors concluded that on the basis of this study, may be there is a regional and race difference among different studies. According to treatability of this type of headache, and morbidity and costs that are produced by this disease, more extensive studies on the base of prevalence, predisposing factors, different aspects of treatment, and prophylactic treatments should be taken to provide patients with more suitable and effective help.

A cross sectional survey was conducted in Iran to evaluate knowledge and behavior related to "self care" among women who attended to Shiraz Health Center. A convenience sample of 607 women were selected by cluster and random sampling. 52.2% of women had good knowledge about self care behavior. Knowledge of blood cholesterol was highest rate among women (91.1%). Good practice about screening tests was only 3.1% for control of blood pressure as routine, was higher compared to other screening tests. The authors concluded that practice of women about screening tests especially as a routine, is weak. With attention to the importance of self care behavior in promotion of life quality and life span, therefore nurses and health workers must teach and encourage women about self care behavior and attending screening tests.

Dr Muneizel S attempted to determine the efficacy and side effects of tinidazole compared with metronidazole in the treatment of amoebiasis in Jordanian patients. A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out on 66 subjects with Entamoeba histolytica infestation. Infected patients were treated with either tinidazole or metronidazole (Tinidazole 2gm single dose orally for 3 days and metronidazole 2gm single dose orally for 3 days) . 27 of 32 patients (87.5%) treated with tinidazole and 23 of 34 patients (67.5%) treated with metronidazole had parasitological cure. Cure rates between two groups were significant statistically (P<0.01). The author concludes that Tinidazole was more effective than metronidazole, produced fewer and milder side effects, and is recommended with high efficacy in treating intestinal amoebiasis.

A cohort study from Jordan looked to determine effects of intrapartum risk factors for early onset sepsis (EOS) on CRP levels in neonates and to assess the suitability of this test in diagnosing EOS. A total of 200 neonates were studied. CRP levels in cord blood and neonatal blood at 24 hours were estimated using commercial kits. Elevated cord CRP levels was significantly associated with rupture of membranes for 24 hours labour more than 12 hours and maternal fever. Several intrapartum risk factors for EOS can cause elevation in CRP levels. However, this test may be useful in excluding infection.