The impact of smart phones and mobile devices on human health and life

Background: Overuse of smart devices provides comfort and problems both physically and mentally. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of smart phone and mobile devices on human health and life.Methods: This descriptive type of cross sectional study was conducted for three months in Dhaka city among general population aged 18 to 70 years. Four hundred and forty respondents were selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data were collected by face to face interview with a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire.Results: Among 440 respondents majority (76.6%) were below 25 years where 72.0% were students. A large proportion (90.5%) used smart phones for communication, 53.4% used for less than 5 hours daily. Majority (65.7%) had other electronic devices, most common 197 (68.1%) were laptop users where 118 (40.8%) used for studying. More than half 322 (73.2%) used earphones, 91 (20.7%) had ear problems and 223 (50.7%) lacked concentration. Many 299 (68.0%) had good relationship with family members, 208 (47.3%) stated that increased use of mobile devices hampered family life, 88 (42.3%) thought it reduced quality family time. Majority users 253 (57.5%) experienced physical discomfort after prolonged use and 95 (37.7%) suffered from headache. Association between age of respondents and time spent on smart devices was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was significant (p<0.05) association between ear problem and ear phone usage.Conclusions: Excessive use of smart phones should be avoided and social awareness increased through health programmes. Potential risks of cell phones and smart devices can be avoided by limiting the use.

Neglected bilateral posterior shoulder fracture dislocation in an uncontrolled seizure patient

Posterior dislocation of the shoulder is a rare injury that occurs secondary to trauma and seizures. Diagnosis is often missed and treatment is challenging. Neglected posterior dislocation is associated with Hill-Sachs lesion which leads to locking of dislocation. Correct diagnosis is achieved by history taking, a physical examination and appropriate imaging. In neglected shoulder dislocation with uncontrolled seizure and humeral head defects of up to 45% the McLaughlin procedure shows excellent results at follow-up

Fracture resistance of porcelain veneered zirconia crowns with exposed lingual zirconia for anterior teeth after thermal cycling: an in vitro study

In some clinical conditions minimally invasive complete crown tooth preparations are indicated. This is especially true when gross removal of tooth structure would weaken the remaining tooth or violate the vitality of the dental pulp. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of [1] exposed lingual zirconia with veneered zirconia crowns, and [2] reduced lingual thickness of monolithic lithium disilicate crowns on the fracture resistance of the crowns after cyclic loading. Metal-ceramic crowns with exposed lingual metal served as controls. Twenty-four maxillary central incisor crowns were fabricated in identical shape on metal testing dies in 3 groups: metal-ceramic crowns [MC, n = 8], veneered zirconia crowns [VZ, n = 8], and monolithic lithium disilicate crowns [MO, n = 8]. A conservative preparation design with 0.75 mm lingual clearance was used for each crown system. All crowns were cemented to their corresponding crown preparations with self-adhesive resin cement [Multilink Automix]. The crowns were subjected to 1000 cycles of thermal cycling, then cyclic loading of 111 N by means of a stainless steel ball, and 50,000 cycles of loading were applied for the fatigue test. Fatigue loading was followed by a continuously increasing compressive load, at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until failure. The compressive load [N] required to cause failure was recorded. Means were calculated and analyzed with one-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test [alpha = .05]. There was a significant difference between MO vs. MC [P = 0.0001], MO vs. VZ [P = .0001], and VZ vs. MC [P = .012]. There was a significant difference in the mean fracture resistance of MC, VZ, and MO crowns in this in vitro study. The MC group recorded the highest mean fracture strength

Prevalence of bacterial urinary tract infections in patients before and after of kidney transplantation

Urinary tract infections and bacteremia are the major problems in renal transplant patients, which are mostly due to immunesuppressive regimens, surgery, and exposure to the germs in hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial agents in the blood and urine samples of kidney transplant candidates. In this one-year-long study, thirty-three renal transplant candidates were assessed for urine and blood cultures. One urine and blood samples from each patient before transplantation and three samples after transplantation were collected. The Samples, using standard microbiological methods, were investigated and infectious organisms identified. In 133 urine samples, Escherichia coli [20.5%], Enterobacter spp. [5.3%], Klebsiella spp. [3%] and Staphylococcus epidermidis [1.5%] were isolated. In the blood samples, Enterobacter spp. [9.1%], Escherichia coli [6.8%], Staphylococcus epidermidis [3.8%] and Klebsiella spp. [0.8%] were isolated. The results indicate that urinary tract infection was high in patients with transplanted kidney, and E. coli is the most common cause of this infection

Acute bronchiolitis in children; epidemiologic and clinical features

To study the epidemiological and clinical features of acute bronchiolitis in children < 2 years of age with mild to moderate acute bronchiolitis. Outpatient department of Department of Pediatrics, independent university hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from October 2010 to March 2011. 200 children diagnosed clinically with mild or moderate acute bronchiolitis were included in the study using convenient sampling technique. Epidemiologic variables of interest included age, gestational age at birth, sex, weight, breastfed or not, parental or caregiver tobacco smoking and socioeconomic status. Clinical variables of interest included cough, fever, breathlessness, wheeze, Rhonchi, feeding and sleep pattern and severity of disease. Predominant age group was between 2 to 12 months [76.5%] with mean age of 7.6 +/- 4.7. 95.5% of children were full term at birth. Male predominance with male to female ratio of 1.4:1 was noted. Mean weight was 7.2 +/- 1.8 kg. Predominantly mixed feeding pattern [45%] was observed. Most of the parents/caregivers [70%] were nonsmokers. Majority of children [81.5%] belonged to families with poor socioeconomic status. Results of clinical variables revealed Cough [100%], breathlessness [69.5%], audible wheeze [59.5%] and rhonchi on chest auscultation [100%], disturbed sleep [80%] and decreased oral feeding [78%]. Majority of children [79.5%] were afebrile. Mild acute bronchiolitis [73.5%] was predominant as compared to moderate acute bronchiolitis [26.5%]. Acute bronchiolitis is more prevalent in children <1 year of age with male predominance and in children from families with poor socioeconomic status. Mild form of acute bronchiolitis is more common. A relative lack of fever along with cough, breathlessness, wheeze and/or rhonchi are major presenting clinical features of acute bronchiolitis

Etiological factors of constipation in the elderly, with emphasis on functional causes

Constipation is a particularly troublesome complaint in the elderly yet it is usually considered to be a simple management issue. Therefore physicians' lack of interest in and inadequate training about the etiology of constipation may contribute to their inability to manage the problem of constipation effectively. Constipation can become a chronic problem, refractory to management, and most likely the result of lifelong patterns of bowel and dietary habits and laxative use, along with the interaction of pathophysiological and perhaps senescent changes of gut motility. This article reviews the types and causes of constipation and the management of the problem in the elderly

[Results of neuro-endoscopic pituitary surgery in 26 patients with pituitary adenoma]

Endoscopic surgery of pituitary adenoma is a rapidly developing surgical procedure in the field of neurosurgery, with known limitations and advantages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of this technique for treatment of a group of patients with pituitary adenoma. In the present study, 26 patients with the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma, who were considered for endoscopic operation between 2002-2005 in Sina and Amir Alam hospitals, were included. The following data were registered: age, sex, symptoms of disease, findings of neurological exam, adenoma type [functional versus non-functional], treatment outcome and complications of the procedure and duration of hospital stay. Twenty six patients [14 male and 11 female] included in the study. Most of them were in the 3-6 decades of life. They included 11 non-functional adenoma, 9 GH-producing adenomas, 3 ACTH secreting adenomas and 3 cases with prolactinomas. Seven patients had complications of the operation [reversible in 6 patients and fatal in 1] and 6 of them had recurrence of the tumor during the 2-year follow up. Endoscopic surgery is an invaluable method for treatment of pituitary adenoma, and factors such as decreased complications and duration of hospital stay further adds to its popularity

Interval appendectomy: surgical and pathological basis

The treatment of appendiceal mass is controversial. For patients initially treated conservatively with antibiotics with or with out drainage, the role of interval appendectomy is an area of considerable debate. To evaluate the indications of interval appendectomy in patients presented with appendicular mass in correlation with post operative histopathological results. This is a prospective study of 97 cases with the diagnosis of appendicular mass admitted and treated conservatively in Baghdad Teaching Hospital during the period from December 2002 to December 2006 then scheduled for interval appendectomy. .Histopathology of the appendix examined and correlation of the result with certain clinical characteristic of the patients. The prevalent age group was 30-39 years [39%] and male to female ratio was 2.8:1. Postoperative histopathological features of the excised specimens showed that 85/97 [88%] of patients had chronically fibrosed appendix with obliterated lumen. The remaining 12/97 [12%] of patients were having inflamed appendices. There was a clear correlation the age of patient above 40 years [41%]and initial clinical response [94%] with the histopathologic support for appendectomy. Interval appendectomy was mandatory in the following groups of patients: Patients >/= 40 years old. Patients with poor initial response to conservative treatment. Patients with recurrent symptoms. Patients with WBC count >/= 12000 cell/cc

[ case-control study about routs of transmission of cholera during summer outbreak in Zahedan]

Background: within the past few years out breaks of cholera has occurred in different points of Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran, especially in the Zahedan district. The objective of this study was definition of the most important routs of transmission of cholera in the rural areas of Zahedan district involved in the cholera outbreak of summer 2003. The outbreak lasted for about 1.5 months

Methods and Materials: a case-control study was performed on 20 patients and 89 subjects as controls. A questionnaire was completed for eve1y subject about individual hygiene, hygiene regulations of' the family, the source of' the drinkable water, use of' chlorination of' water, use of soap jar hand washing, eating and drinking outside in feasts [such as weddings], getting ice .from street vendors, and travel history. Stool culture for detection of cholera was performed for all cases and also for consent controls

Results: in multivariate analysis age [OR = 0. 8, P = 0. 004], eating food in parties [OR = 34.5, P = 0.020], absence of soap in hand-washing place [OR = 4. 7, P = 0. 000] and household size [OR = 1.3, P = 0.002] were significantly associated with cholera in univariate analysis, getting ice from street vendors [P = 0.032] also had relationship with catching cholera

Conclusions: different routes of transmission of cholera are mentioned in reference books; however every outbreak has its own special circumstances. The most important points with regard to this outbreak were the importance of individual hygiene [especially using soap in hand washing], control of production and distribution of ice by street vendors, and the importance of' eating and drinking in ceremonies even feats and weddings. Warning of people about these points may play key role in controlling a cholera outbreak

Survey regarding AIDS awareness among indigenous population at Karachi [Pakistan]

A health survey about AIDS awareness in Pakistan was conducted during 1998-99 as a joint venture of International Collaboration Medical Team of Japanese National Institute of Public Health, Nagoya University, School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan and Awan Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. It is important to be aware of the attitude and behavior related to AIDS infection, because the number of people infected by it has been increasing rapidly in many countries of Asia. The information collected in this survey can serve as a guide for health policy in Pakistan. A randomized survey comprising 5110 [2400 male and 2710 female] Pakistani nationals of different age groups were tested in this study. The marital status and educational background were also recorded. A questionnaire was distributed to the subject individuals, which was based upon the information about the modes of AIDS spread. The mass survey for its awareness in general public has successfully been conducted for the first time in Pakistan. The survey revealed several striking facts and figures that will help build up our future strategy to combat the challenge of this deadly disease. With reference to this survey, about 12% of the total population was completely in dark about AIDS [including 9.7% illiterate]. It is recommended that the people at large should be fully made aware of AIDS. The most effective medium for such an education oriented programme [as revealed by this survey] is television. The authorities should allocate sufficient time on television for programmes like drama, group discussions, interviews by the AIDS victims and open question-answer sessions

Aspartylglucosaminuria in a Tunisian family

We report on the first 4 cases of aspartylglucosaminuria [AGU] diagnosed in Tunisia. Four siblings with the clinical and laboratory findings of AGU were the products of a first cousins' mating. The index case was a 20 month old male who presented with heart failure and coarse features. He had a slow psychomotor development and skeletal changes consistent with numerous changes in small bones. Enzymatic essays in cultured skin fibroblasts showed aspartylglucosaminidase deficiency. His 2 sisters and his brother were 11, 3 and 8 1/2 years of age, respectively and also presented a slow psychomotor development and dysmorphia