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Volume-7 (2008);
Issue 4 (October-December) Published on Feb 25, 2009
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2008;4-1
Original Article |
Bhattacharyaya M, Roychowdhury J.
Study of Pregnancy Outcome in E-Beta Thalassaemia Mothers |
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Abstract: Forty eight E-Beta thalassaemia patients
were studied in NRS Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal during the
period from 2000-2006. In all patients Hb% ranged from 5.2g% - 9.6g%.
It was more than 8g% in 17 (35.4%), 6-8g% in 22 (45.8%) and less
than 6g% in 9(18.7% ) patients. 72.9% patients required regular blood
transfusion while the rest (27.1%) received blood transfusion
occasionally.81.25% pregnancy were carried up to term whereas 18.75%
pregnancy ended in preterm delivery. Vaginal delivery was possible
in 85.5% patients.14.5% patients had caesarean delivery due to
underlying obstetric problem. Amongst the babies born, 22 (45.8%) were
intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) babies,8.3% pregnancies ended in
stillbirth. There were 4 (8.3%) maternal deaths in this study.
Key words: E-Beta thalassaemia, High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Intrauterine
growth restriction (IUGR) |
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This Article |
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2008;4-2
Original Article |
Flesher M, Wagner B, Jones L.
Early Feeding After a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. |
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Abstract:
Background:
Oral fluids and food are traditionally introduced slowly after total
abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). This descriptive study examined
the effect and tolerance of early oral intake following this surgery. Methods:
A retrospective chart review was conducted on
164 patients who had been on a clinical pathway following TAH. Comparisons
in initiation of fluids and foods, and gastrointestinal effects were
made between the early fed group (n=82) and the traditionally fed group
(n=82). Results:
Both groups had the similar gastrointestinal symptoms postoperatively,
but the early fed group had an earlier bowel movement. The early
fed group had a statistically significant shorter length of stay.
Similar usage of anti-nausea medication and pain medication usage was
noted between the two groups, except for a lower usage of Tylenol #3
(acetaminophen with codeine) in the early fed group. Conclusions:
This study found that early feeding could
be tolerated well in TAH patients, with statistically significant improvements
in usage of some pain medication and length of stay were noted in the
early fed group.
Key words: Early feeding, Diet
tolerance, Total abdominal hysterectomy |
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This Article |
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2008;4-3
Original Article |
Olayemi IK.
Influence of Land-use on the Fitness of Anopheles gambiae, the Principal
Vector of Malaria in Nigeria. |
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Abstract: Background:
Urbanization often results in profound environmental alterations that
may promote the transmission of malaria. Though, land-use practices
in urban areas have been linked with proliferations of suitable larval
breeding habitats of malaria vectors, no attempt has been made to systematically
investigate the influence of land-use practices on malaria transmission
in Nigeria. Objectives:
To elucidate the influence of land-use practices on larval development
and adult body size of Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae)
mosquitoes in Minna, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Newly-hatched larvae of An. gmbiae
mosquitoes were reared in semi-natural habitats stationed in five different
sites, each representing the major land-use types in the area. The larvae
were monitored daily for Duration of Immature Development (DID) and
Immature Survival Rate (ISR); while Wing Length (WL) was used as an
index of adult body size.Results:
DID, ISR and WL varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the land-use
categories; with lager numbers of bigger mosquitoes produced at a faster
rate in the artificial than natural land-use sites. Water temperature
for larval development was best in the Refuse Dump (RD) site (mean =
28.11 ± 2.50oC) and consequently the shortest DID (mean
= 9.70 ± 0.74 days), as well as, the largest mosquitoes (mean WL =
3.10 ± 0.90 mm), were recorded in this land-use category. However,
while ISR was highest (mean = 96.30 ± 2.78%) in Farm Land (FL), the
mosquitoes that emerged from this site were the smallest (mean WL =
1.96 ± 0.51mm). The Natural Vegetation (NV) land-use category was the
least productive, as the larvae took the longest time (13.29 ± 1.69
days) to develop, and survived least (42.94 ± 7.50%) in this site. Conclusion:
The land-use practices in Minna enhanced the fitness of An. gambiae,
and may increase the vectorial capacity of the species for malaria transmission
in the area. Targeted larviciding interventions will greatly contribute
to malaria control efforts in Minna, Nigeria.
Key words: Malaria, Mosquitoes, Survival Rates, Temperature, Wing Length. |
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This Article |
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2008;4-4
Original Article |
Dongre AR, Singh A, Deshmukh PR, Garg BS.
A community based cross sectional study on feasibility of lay interviewers in ascertaining
causes of adult deaths by using verbal autopsy in rural Wardha. |
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Abstract:
Background
& objectives: 1) To study the causes of adult (15 years and
above) deaths using verbal autopsy (VA) and its socio-demographic characteristics.
2) To study the feasibility of use of the lay interviewer to ascertain
causes of adult death using verbal autopsy and a simple algorithm.
Methods: The present study was done in Wardha district, Maharashtra,
India. Taking into account feasibility, out of 23 villages of Primary
Health Centre, Anji, 15 villages were chosen having total population
of 14,590. Out of 273 estimated adult deaths during the study
period, 209 (77%) could be traced by house to house visit and a lay
interviewer, interviewed the close caretakers of the deceased. Both
lay interviewer and a physician individually derived their diagnosis
using verbal autopsy report and a simplified algorithm. The data was
entered and analyzed by using Epi_info 6.04. The inter-observer reliability
between the lay interviewer and a physician for each possible diagnosis
was assessed by using the Kappa statistics. Considering the diagnosis
made by a physician as a gold standard, the diagnostic and predictive
accuracy for each diagnosis made by the lay interviewer was calculated.
Results: The communicable diseases accounted for 52 percent of the
adult deaths while non-communicable for 32 percent and injuries for
nine percent deaths. The overall agreement between the lay interviewer
and a physician for communicable diseases was found to be good (k =
0.65 + 0.06) and for non-communicable diseases it was found to
be excellent (k = 0.80 + 0.06). The lay interviewer using VA
performed adequately for individual conditions of public health importance
like acute febrile illness, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis and injuries.
Interpretation & conclusions: The present study has been successful to
demonstrate feasibility of use of the lay interviewer to provide useful
information on population-level estimation of broad causes of adult deaths and
its socio-demographic characteristics that are reasonably reliable. The study
suggests the possible utility of the method for rural India, where the majority
of deaths occur at home. Further research work on development of sensitive and
specific yet simple algorithms for lay interviewers to ascertain causes of adult
deaths is required.
Key words: Adult deaths, Verbal autopsy, Algorithm, Lay interviewer, Physician
review. |
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This Article |
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2008;4-5
Original Article |
Radish Kumar B, Bhat JS.
Aerodynamic Analysis Of Voice In Persons With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux |
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Abstract:
Objectives
of the study: The individuals with laryngopharyngeal reflux are
prone for aspiration of refluxed contents and so there is a need for
aerodynamic evaluation in these individuals. Hence, the present study
investigated the aerodynamic characteristics in individuals with Laryngopharyngeal
reflux. Study design:
Prospective control group design. Method:
Thirty laryngopharyngeal reflux subjects and 30 normal subjects participated
in the study. Aerodynamic parameters such as vital capacity, mean air
flow rate, maximum phonation duration and phonation quotient were measured
using Aero Phone Instrument ((Model 6800). Independent t test was employed
for statistical inference. Results:
The results revealed that the vital capacity and maximum phonation duration
values were lower for laryngopharyngeal reflux subjects when compared
to normal controls. No significant differences were observed for mean
air flow rate and phonation quotient. Conclusions:
The results revealed that the laryngopharyngeal reflux individuals showed
significant deviations in aerodynamic parameters when compared to normal
individuals. Thus study confirms aerodynamic abnormalities in laryngopharyngeal
reflux subjects.
Key words: Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, Aerodynamic measures, Dysphonia. |
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This Article |
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2008;4-6
Original Article |
Adiga S, Nayak V, Bairy KL.
Treatment of Anaphylaxis in Adults: A Questionnaire Survey |
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Abstract:Objective:
To identify the medications that medical students, interns and casualty
medical officers are likely to prescribe when treating an adult patient
with anaphylaxis, and to ascertain the dose and route of administration
of adrenaline they would use. Design: A questionnaire
study survey. Setting: Kasturba
medical college hospital, Manipal (Udupi District) and public health
centers of Udupi district, Karnataka. Subjects: Data
collected from 39 second year medical students, 35 interns and 35 casualty
medical officers. Main outcome
measure: To determine the percentage of use of adrenaline for the treatment
of anaphylaxis in the correct dose, strength and route. Results: Majority
(73 .3%) of participants correctly opted to use adrenaline. Only 9 participants
have written the correct dose, route and concentration of adrenaline.
41.28% and 66.05% participants preferred to use antihistamines and corticosteroids
respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that confusion
exists regarding the correct route of administration and dose of adrenaline to
be used when treating anaphylaxis. This confusion applied to medical students,
interns and medical officers. Therefore doctors must be made aware of the
guidelines to treat anaphylaxis effectively.
Key words: Anaphylaxis, Adrenaline |
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This Article |
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2008;4-7
Short Report |
Indahyani DE, Santoso ALS, Utoro T, Soesatyo MHNE, Sosroseno W.
Effect of fish oil on lipopolysaccharide-induced hydroxyapatite loss in rat alveolar bone:
A Preliminary Study |
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Abstract:Dietary fish oil has
been shown to inhibit bone resorption and, therefore, the aim of the
present study was to test the hypothesis that fish oil alters lipopolysaccharide
(LPS)-induced hydroxyapatite loss in rat alveolar bone. Rats were divided
into four groups. The animals injected with saline or Escherichia
coli-derived LPS into the maxillary alveolar mucosa on the buccoapical
site of the molar region daily for 8 days were served as a negative
or positive control, respectively. Other groups of animals were injected
with LPS and orally treated with fish oil at the same day with or after
LPS injection. The results of the present study showed that the hydroxyapatite
contents of alveolar bone in rats treated with fish oil at the same
day with or before LPS injection were significantly higher than those
in rats injected with LPS alone, but still lower than those in untreated
animals. Therefore, the present study suggests that oral treatment with
fish oil may reduce LPS-induced hydroxyapatite loss in rat alveolar
bone.
Key words: Alveolar,
Bone, Fish Oil, Hydroxyapatite, Rat |
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This Article |
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2008;4-8
Case Report |
Singh RK, Bhandary S, Tiwary A, Karki S.
Capillary hemangioma of tympanic cleft. |
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Abstract:
We present
an extensive capillary hemangioma of right ear in an 11-year-old child
involving external auditory canal, middle ear and mastoid. Patient was
presented with chronic purulent discharge and aural mass in right ear.
The Computarize tomography (CT) scan revealed enhancing soft tissue
filled density in external ear, middle ear and mastoid for that modified
radical mastoidectomy (MRM) was done. The histopathological report of
surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of capillary hemangioma
Key words: Hemangioma,
Capillary, Tympanic cleft |
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This Article |
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2008;4-9
Case Report |
Ugwu AC, Ogbonna CO, Imo AO.
Wandering spleen: A common presentation of an uncommon anomaly |
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Abstract:
Background:
With the advent of real time ultrasonography of the abdomen, the spleen
is no longer an inaccessible organ. Wandering spleen is a rare entity
with only less than 500 cases reported so far. Method:
This case report presents a 16-year- old Nigerian girl admitted
in a medical centre but referred for ultrasonography on account of a
clinical history of lower abdominal tenderness. Result:
Ultrasonography examination revealed that the spleen was not found in
its normal anatomical position. However, a well defined acoustic
signature of the spleen was seen in the pelvis. Conclusion:
Ultrasonography which is far cheaper than magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) and computed tomography (CT) is a valuable diagnostic aid in this
condition.
Key words: Wandering spleen, ultrasonography, Nigeria |
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This Article |
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2008;4-10
Case Report |
Kanjwal K.
It is not always the nail biting experience |
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Abstract:
Case of a 22 year old male with past
medical history of attention deficit disorder, found to have callosities and skin
abrasions on knuckels and dorsum of his interphalengeal joints in both
hands
Key words: Attention deficit disorder, Nail bite |
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This Article |
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