Is Simple Reaction Time Influenced by Arm Span, Neck Length and Arm Span to Height Ratios of individuals?

Background: Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between arm span, neck length and arm span to height ratio (AHR) with simple reaction time (RT). Methods: The study was conducted amongst 501 (232 females and 269 males) untrained University of Cape Coast students whose ages ranged from 17-29 years. Results: In this study it was found that there was significant correlation between AHR and RT in both males and females, there washowever no significant correlation between arm span nor neck length of participants and RT. Conclusion: AHR appears to significantly correlate with simple reaction time, but the direction of correlation appears to differ in males and females

Attitudes of Patients to Medical Students in the Gynaecology Clinic: A Nigerian Experience.

Background: Out-patient clinics are very important in medical students’ education. Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the attitudes of patients to the participation of medical students in their consultation in the gynaecology clinic at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu (UNTH), Southeast Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional survey. Self-administered questionnaires were given to participants recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. One hundred and ninety five patients participated in the study. Results: Most of the patients, 147(75.4%) were willing to allow medical students to participate in their consultation. Seven (3.6%) patients refused the participation of medical students in any form. Of the 141(72.3%) patients who had previous consultation with medical students present, only 59(41.8%) gave informed consent. Consent was not sought from 63(44.7%) of these patents (P=0.046). In the absence of a doctor, 58.2% and 46.4% of the patients did not accept giving history to male and female students respectively (P=0.021). Sixty nine (35.6%) and 146(75.3%) agreed to examination by male and female students respectively (P=0.031). Age (P=0.029) and marital status (P=0.017) were identified as independently significantly associated with the acceptance of medical students’ participation during clinic visits. Conclusion: In UNTH Nigeria, many patients are willing to allow medical students’ participation in their assessment in the gynaecology clinic although there is a preference for female students. There is need to respect patients autonomy by seeking consent in order to maximize their contribution to medical students’ education. There is also the need to create patient awareness on the role of a teaching health facility.

Study on the time frame for ossification of the medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilage by x-ray in ghanaian students / Estudio con rayos x sobre el periodo de tiempo para la osificación del cartílago epifisial clavicular medial en estudiantes ghaneses

The objective of this study was to determine the rate of ossification of the medial epiphysis of the clavicle and some of the different factors that may influence the rate of ossification in the Ghanaian population. The study was a retrospective study and was conducted at the University of Cape Coast hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana. Chest x-rays of 1035 first year University of Cape Coast students admitted, for the 2008/2009 academic year were used. Statistically significant differences were produced for some of the stages when sex comparisons were done using the t-test for two independent groups with a 95 percent confidence level. Stages 2 (p=0.001), stage 3 (p<0.001) and stage 4 (p=0-001). The age of onset of ossification of the medial clavicle appeared generally to be earlier in females than in males. The stage of partial ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis also lasted longer than in other studies indicating a delay in the ossification at this stage. In conclusion conventional x-ray of the medial clavicle can be an effective tool in assessing forensic age of subjects for any purpose; however there is a need to develop reference values that are specific for particular geographical areas.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la tasa de osificación de la extremidad esternal de la clavícula y determinar algunos de los diferentes factores que pueden influir en la tasa de osificación en la población de Ghana. Se efectuó un estudio retrospectivo en el hospital de la Universidad de Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Se utilizaron 1035 radiografías de tórax de estudiantes admitidos al primer año de la Universidad de Cape Coast, el año académico 2008/2009. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas para algunas de las etapas en que se realizan comparaciones de sexo mediante el t-test para dos grupos independientes con un nivel de confianza del 95 por ciento. Etapas 2 (p = 0,001), la etapa 3 (p <0,001) y la etapa 4 (p = 0-001). La edad de inicio de la osificación de la extremidad esternal de la clavícula aparecía generalmente antes en las mujeres que en los hombres. La etapa de osificación parcial de las extremidad esternal de la clavícula también duró más tiempo que lo relatado en otros estudios los cuales indican un retraso en la osificación en esta etapa. En conclusión la radiografía convencional de la extremidad esternal de la clavícula puede ser una herramienta eficaz en la evaluación forense de la edad de los sujetos, sin embargo existe necesidad de definir valores de referencia que sean específicos para determinadas zonas geográficas.

Evaluation of a new fourth-generation microwell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of HIV-1 subtype B and E antibodies.

The recent fourth-generation enzyme-immunoassays have been used to increase the sensitivity for detecting HIV-1 antibodies and reduce the window period of HIV infection. The HIV antigens utilized in those assays were prepared from HIV-1 clade B which is different from HIV-1 subtypes circulating in Thailand. We evaluated 323 HIV-1 seropositives either B or E subtype to determine whether they were detected with the new combined anti-HIV and the p24 Ag assay. Under evaluation we found that this enzyme immunoassay manufactured by Organon Teknika showed the high sensitivity and specificity with a greater delta (delta) value with B than E subtypes samples (+15.29 vs +5.73).

DTH responsiveness of HIV-infected Thai adults.

A study was carried out in Thailand to determine the frequency of reactivity to delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin tests used for the staging of HIV patients in the United States. A four-antigen panel which included tetanus toxoid (1:10), Candida (1:10), mumps and Trichophyton antigens was assessed in 221 adult subjects from across the full immunological spectrum of HIV disease. Complete anergy was found in 38 per cent of 73 subjects with CD4 counts of 0-200 cells/ml and in 6 per cent of 78 subjects with 201-400 cells/ml. Partial anergy (response to 1 of 4 antigens) was found in 26 per cent of the 0-200 cell/ml group and decreased progressively with increasing CD4 cell count. Results suggested that a 3-member recall antigen panel would provide nearly all the clinically useful information gained by the more standard 4-member panel. In conclusion, DTH skin testing was confirmed to provide a method of assessing the integrity of cellular immune function of HIV-infected Thai adults which correlated with disease progression.

Thai language skill and HIV counseling among hilltribe people: a hospital-based study in Chiang Rai.

Twenty-nine hilltribe individuals from 6 different ethnic groups were among a group of 70 patients included in an investigation of interactions between HIV-1 virus infection and common tropical illnesses. Approximately half of the hilltribe subjects (14/29) required the aid of an interpreter for HIV counseling because they could neither speak nor understand the Thai language. The 5 HIV seropositive hilltribe individuals were younger than their seronegative counterparts (26 vs 37 years respectively; p < 0.05) and had less need of an interpreter (0% vs 58% respectively; p < 0.05). Inability to speak and understand Thai limits the access of some ethnic minority subjects to HIV counseling, testing and education.

HIV vaccine development: a subtype E-specific strategy.

The pandemic of HIV/AIDS consists of multiple foci with distinct epidemiological characteristics. Among the approximately one million Southeast Asians infected with HIV, subtype (clade) E infections predominate. This subtype, a recombinant virus comprised of a clade A core (gag) gene and a mosaic clade A/clade E envelope (env) gene, became broadly epidemic in Thailand beginning in 1989. Since then, subtype E HIV has become increasingly prevalent throughout Southeast Asia. Consistent with the recent introduction of clade E HIV, the diversity of Southeast Asian subtype E viruses is narrow (6% nucleotide diversity across env). Since neutralizing antibodies may play a protective role against HIV infection, and are relatively clade specific for genotype E viruses, a subtype E-derived candidate vaccine tested in Southeast Asia would provide an optimal test of vaccine concept. It would also provide, for the first time to a developing region of the world, a non-B clade candidate vaccine designed specifically for the local epidemic. A consortium of industry (Chiron Vaccines and Pasteur Merieux Connaught), academic (Mahidol and Chiang Mai Universities) and military (United States and Royal Thai Army Medical Departments) medicine is working together to develop and test HIV vaccines for the genotype E epidemic. A genotype B recombinant glycoprotein (rgp)120 candidate vaccine has undergone phase I/II testing in Thailand and confirmed to be safe and immunogenic in this ethnic group. An rgp120 (E) has been produced and a phase I/II trial of the bivalent product (B/E) is in the final stages of approval. This vaccine construct is designed to elicit humoral immune responses. To augment these antibody responses with CD8+ CTL responses, an E-specific, live-vectored vaccine is being developed which will be used in conjunction with rgp120 in a second vaccine approach. Canarypox (ALVAC) constructs containing multiple HIV genes (gag/pol/env) currently designed for the subtype B epidemics will be modified to contain a clade E env gene sequence. After predetermined milestones have been met, these two subtype E-specific candidate vaccines will be assessed for protection in a large collaborative efficacy trial. Since neither animal models nor laboratory assays are validated as predictive of HIV vaccine efficacy, it must be through such a phase III trial that vaccine-induced protection and immunologic correlates will be determined.

Cardiomiopatía tóxica por uso de cocaína / Toxic cardiomyopathy due to cocaine use

The clinical record of 5 patients are studied. They were hospitalized in Santo Tomás Hospital with history of chronic and massive intoxication with inhaled and ingested cocaine. They all had cardiomegaly: in one, of grade I; in three, of grade III. The echocardiography mode B showed global cardiomegaly with dilatation of cavities and ejection fraction of 20% or below

Hepatitis B antigen and antibody in patients with leprosy: a study of three resettlement villages in Thailand.

It remains uncertain whether the cellular immune abnormalities of patients with lepromatous leprosy interfere with resolution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. To investigate this question in an area coendemic for the two diseases, we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) in: 1) 204 leprosy patients living in three leprosy resettlement villages; 2) 198 contacts living in the same villages; and 3) 44 newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Thailand. Within the villages, the prevalence of HBsAg positivity was inversely related to age, tended to be more frequent in patients with tuberculoid than lepromatous leprosy, and was similar after age adjustment among persons with and without leprosy. The prevalence of HBV markers found in newly diagnosed patients was similar to that in the villagers. We conclude that extensive HBV transmission had occurred in the resettlement villages and that the natural history of HBV infection was similar in persons with, whether tuberculoid or lepromatous, and without leprosy.

Mesotelioma pleural maligno difuso: una enfermedad letal / Malignant pleural diffuse mesothelioma: lethal disease

Se revisan los conceptos fundamentales sobre el mesotelioma pleural maligno difuso, cuyas implicaciones medico-quirurgicas son graves y su pronostico muy malo a corto plazo. Se enfatiza el hecho de las implicaciones laborales que el tumor conlleva, debido a que es considerado como enfermedad profesional, hoy en dia.

Terapia antiplaquetaria despues de cirugia coronaria / Antiplatelet therapy after coronary surgery

El tratamiento post-operatorio con drogas antiplaquetarias ha demostrado ser benefico para prevenir la obstruccion de injertos venosos utlizados en cirugia coronaria. Este estudio analiza 2 grupos de pacientes, uno (212) si terapia antiplaquetaria y el otro (205) con antiplaquetarios. Se encontro una diferencia importante en la recurrencia clinica de la angina post-operatoria. Se discute la fisiopatologia en la oclusion post-operatoria temprana y tardia de los injertos y el efecto de los medicamentos antiplaquetarios en la prevencion de ese fenomeno

Niveles de hemoglobina y cirugia coronaria: I. Relacion entre hemoglobina arterial coronaria y flujo coronario / Hemoglobin levels and coronary surgery: I. Relationship between coronary arterial hemoglobin and coronary flow

Hasta el momento no se ha demostrado que el flujo coronario, aumentado en casos de anemia, sea un mecanismo de defensa contra anoxia miocardiaca y no simplemente una respuesta a las demandas energeticas y mecanicas del gasto cardiaco elevado que estos pacientes desarrollan en esta situacion clinica. En el laboratorio de cirugia experimental del Hospital Freeman (Newcastle upon Tyne, Inglaterra), se disminuyo en forma abrupta la concentracion de hemoglobina en sangre que perfundia las coronarias de perros normales. Posteriormente se midieron en forma individual el volumen de sangre y la concentracion de hemoglobina del seno coronario a intervalos de 1 minuto y por espacio de cinco minutos, es decir en un intervalo de tiempo seguro, antes que el gasto cardiaco se elevara a consecuencia de la anemia generalizada en el animal de experimentacion, permitiendo asi apreciar si en realidad el flujo coronario efectivamente aumentaba en relacion con la disminucion de hemoglobina miocardica. Se encontro entonces que el flujo coronario aumento a medida que la concentracion de hemoglobina disminuia, siendo el coeficiente de correlacion de -0,5629, lo cual fue significativo (p<0,001). El resultado de este aumento compensatorio fue en tal medida efectivo que no encontramos cambio significativo en la presion parcial de oxigeno del seno coronario. Es decir, el mecanismo compensatorio fue aumentando el flujo sanguineo sin encrementar la extraccion de oxigeno por las celulas miocardicas...

Niveles de hemoglobina y cirugia coronaria: II. Relacion entre concentracion de hemoglobina y angina recurrente despues de cirugia coronaria / Hemoglobin levels and coronary surgery: II. Relationship between hemoglobin concentration and reccurrent angina after coronary surgery

Con el objeto de probar la relacion existente entre bajas concentraciones de hemoglobina y menor riesgo de trombosis despues de cirugia coronaria, y en esta forma menor incidencia de angina recurrente, hemos tomado en cuenta los niveles de hemoglobina en 212 pacientes sometidos a cirugia de injerto aorto-coronario (bypass). La incidencia de angina recurrente encontrada en enfermos con niveles altos de hemoglobina (alrededor de 13-14 g%) fue significativamente mayor en comparacion con aquellos que tuvieron concentraciones relativamente bajas (alrededor de 11 g%), con una significancia estadistica de p<0,001.

Lymphocyte transformation in lepromatous leprosy: a study of the influence of disease activity and symptom duration.

The lymphocyte hyporesponsiveness to M. leprae of patients with active lepromatous leprosy has been well described. This immune defect is less well understood in terms of its time of origin, possible reversibility and specificity. To further examine the persistence and specificity of this abnormality, lymphocyte transformation tests of 93 leprosy patients to lepromin, BCG and PHA were studied. Among lepromatous patients, a decreased response to M. leprae was seen, whether the disease was active or inactive. Decreased responses to BCG were found in lepromatous patients with active disease, but not in those with inactive disease. The duration of patient symptoms was not associated with differences in LTT responses among the active lepromatous patients.