Objectives:To assess the impact of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) on bio-psychosocial aspects of the quality of life (QOL) of patients and their families.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out between May 2014 and August 2015, including children aged <16 years, and followed-up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for CHD. A broad questionnaire was administered to investigate biological, psychological, and social dimensions of afflicted children, their parents, and siblings. Outcomes were computed as impact scores (0-100%) for each dimension and family member.Results:A total of 180 children (104 [57.8%] males; mean age ± standard deviation [SD] = 5.65 ± 4.8 years) were included. There were 25% children complaining of recurrent respiratory infections, 35% of frequent hospitalizations, 38.9% had milestone delay, and 12 (6.7%) only had a social security registration. Mothers declared difficulty coping with their children’s disease in 20% of cases and 22.2% reported being depressed. Mean ± SD impact scores in afflicted children were: 26.1 ± 26.2 (biological), 28.7 ± 28.8 (psychological), and (20.2 ± 25.7) social dimensions. Mothers’ impact scores were higher than fathers’. Complex CHDs had an additional impact, and children from families with less knowledge on CHD had relatively greater impact scores.Conclusion:Congenital heart diseases impact all aspects of QOL of patients and their families, and are associated with high comorbidity. Social and psychological support and education for patients and their parents are crucial factors for improving QOL.

Background and Objectives:Initial experience with transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using detachable coils and Amplatzer duct occluder devices is reported. We evaluated the outcome, complications, and influence of the learning curve, and also assessed the need of surgical backup for such interventional procedures.Methods:From January 2000 to December 2004, 121 patients underwent transcatheter closure of PDA. Aortic angiogram was performed to evaluate the size, position, and shape of the duct for appropriately choosing the occluder device type and size. A second aortic angiogram was performed 10 minutes after device deployment. Echocardiography was repeated at intervals of 24 hours, then at 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure to assess complications. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the role of experience in improving the outcome of the procedure.Results:Of 121 cases, four patients had pulmonary artery embolization of the occluder device which was successfully retrieved in the catheterization laboratory, while two others had embolization that required surgical intervention. Four patients had temporary residual leak, nine had protrusion of the device into the aorta without significant Doppler pressure gradient or hemolysis on follow-up, and five had partial hemodynamically insignificant obstruction to the left pulmonary artery. Statistical analysis showed that the effect of the learning curve and experience was responsible for 93% improvement in the procedural outcome over the five-year study period.Conclusion:Transcatheter occlusion of PDA is safe and effective alternative to surgery. Complications occurred in those with unfavorable duct anatomy and with the use of multiple coils. Surgical backup was important for such interventional procedures. Experience played a major role in the proper choice of device type and size which greatly influenced the outcome of the procedure.

The objective of this study was to determine the differences between neonatologists and pediatric cardiologists with regards to the initial assessment of neonatal heart murmur and to evaluate the role of echocardiography in this group of patients. During a period of 1 year, all neonates with heart murmur seen in pediatric cardiology consultation from neonatal intensive care units at the Children Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Ottawa General Hospital were included in this study. Neonates with heart murmur were initially evaluated clinically by a neonatologist and the most likely clinical diagnosis was recorded. This was followed by similar evaluation and assessment by the pediatric cardiologist, who did not know the result of the previous assessment. Echocardiography diagnosis was considered the gold standard for the accurate diagnosis in the two groups, and it was done for all patients. For the neonatologists, the sensitivity to detect a pathological murmur was 78% and the specificity was 33%; the positive predictive value was 77% and the negative predictive value was 37%. For the pediatric cardiologists, the accuracy of the clinical examination showed a sensitivity of 83% in detecting a pathological murmur and a specificity of 25%; the positive predictive value was 80% and the negative predictive value was 29%. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Certified neonatologists are able to assess the significance of neonatal heart murmurs well as pediatric cardiologists, although echocardiogram is still needed to reach the accurate diagnosis of congenital heart disease in neonates even if a pediatric cardiologist is consulted.

The present exploratory study is based on the ‘Entrepreneurial Intention Model’ and has its foundation in ‘Planned Behavioural Theory’. The main focus of the study is on measuring factors affecting Entrepreneurial Intentions among business students in Pakistan. Apart from demographics, the study is particularly focused on personal attraction, perceived social norms and perceived social behaviour. The paper is based on systematic sampling methodology and targets business graduates and nascent entrepreneurs. The study will provide useful implications for educational institutions within the field of business and management, and off course for government policy makers.

This study investigated the effect of aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors on hypertension in diabetes. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin, while AR inhibitors zopolrestat and ferulic acid were administered at 2 weeks after streptozotocin treatment and for 6 weeks afterwards. Then, blood pressure (BP) and serum level of glucose were determined. Concentration-response curves for phenylephrine (PE), KCl, and acetylcholine (ACh) were obtained in isolated aorta. In addition, ACh-induced NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in aorta and histopathology were examined. Compared with the control animals, diabetes increased diastolic and systolic BP. AR inhibitors reduced diastolic BP elevation without affecting the developed hyperglycaemia. Diabetes increased the contractile response of aorta to KCl, and decreased the relaxation response to Ach, while administering AR inhibitors prevented an impaired response to ACh. Incubation of aorta isolated from diabetic animals with AR inhibitors did not affect the impaired relaxation response to ACh. In addition, AR inhibitors negated the impaired Ach-stimulated NO generation seen in aorta isolated from diabetic animals. Furthermore, diabetes was accompanied with marked infiltration of leukocytes in aortic adventitia, endothelial cell pyknosis, and increased ROS formation. AR inhibitors reduced leukocyte infiltration and inhibited endothelial pyknosis and ROS formation. In conclusion, AR inhibitors negate diabetes-evoked hypertension via ameliorating impaired endothelial relaxation and NO production.