A Study Of Comparison On Knowledge And Misconceptions About Hiv/Aids Among Students In A Private University In Malaysia

@#This descriptive cross-sectional study is aimed at studying the comparison on knowledge and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS among the Malaysian undergraduate students at SEGi University, Kota Damansara, Malaysia. Data was collected from a stratified random sample of 180 students using a validated questionnaire survey which included a socio-demographics section and four sub-sections of 36 questions which assessed the general knowledge, general public perceptions, the respondent’s views on the measures to prevent the disease and misconceptions related to the disease. The data were analysed by using the SPSS software, and Chi-square test was used to find the p-value for each of the questions. The average mean score assessing the knowledge of the Malaysian students in SEGi was 81.48%, where the Health Science students scored 44.31% with a standard deviation of 0.015 and the Non-Health Science students scored 37.17% with a standard deviation of 0.036. When comparing each question using the Chi-square test, most of the answers of the Health Science students and Non-Health Science students showed a significant difference where the p-value was <0.05. From the results of this study it is clear that the Health Science students had better knowledge and fewer misconceptions about HIV/AIDS than the Non-Health Science students. Thus, more emphasis should be directed toward raising awareness and eliminating misconceptions among the Non-Health Science students.

Role of Antioxidant Trace Elements in Thermal Burns.

Burn injury is a medical problem as well as a social burden on the national health service. In developing countries. After major burns patients can develop nutritional deficiencies including trace element (TE) deficiencies various complications, such as delayed wound healing, influence the clinical course of such patients. In this study we estimated copper (cu), Zinc (sn), selenium in serum and glutathione peroxidase levels in 20 patients and 20 controls. Trace element levels decreased. Significantly (p<0.05) in burn patients (cases) compared to controls. Whereas glutathione peroxidase activity increased in cases. Based on the critical role of plasma Zn and Cu rate in wound healing and their relationship in decreasing the burn injury by estimating the this we can take start with early trace element supplementation for better wound healing.

Study of Serum Total Calcium, Ionized Calcium and Total Protein Concentrations in Postmenopausal Women.

Menopause and ageing is associated with accelerated loss of cortical bone. Osteoporotic fractures are common cause of morbidity and mortality in adult Indian women due to ageing. This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of serum calcium, ionized calcium and total protein levels in postmenopausal women and to assess its relation with ageing. Study includes 70 women (40 post menopausal and 30 premenopausal women) serum alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium, ionized calcium and total proteins, serum albumin were estimated in both cases and controls. There is decrease in serum calcium in postmenopausal; women when compared to premenopausal women. There was no significant change in ionized calcium in both cases and controls. ALP is highly significant P<0.001. In postmenopausal women suggesting there is high alkaline phosphotase activity in postmenopausal women as a result of the inhibitory effects of estrogen on bone turnover rate which is dependent on age and body mass index. Decrease in serum albumin was seen in postmenopausal women which is the reason for decrease in serum calcium level which is inturn related to ageing effect.

Lipid Peroxidation in Preeclampsia.

Hypertension in pregnancy is a leading cause of both maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Preeclampsia is characterised by hypertension and proteinuria. Lipid peroxidation is an important factor in the pathophysiology of Preeclampsia. The present study was undertaken to determine Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels , a product of lipid peroxidation , in clinically diagnosed Preeclamptic women(n=30) and the values were compared with that of Normotensive pregnant women (n=30) aged between 18-30yrs. All of them were in their third trimester and were primigravida. Serum MDA was estimated by TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) method. We observed that Serum MDA levels were significantly increased in Preeclamptic women (p <0.000) as compared to that of Normotensive pregnant women . Increased levels of lipid peroxiation product - MDA may contribute to the pathophysiology of Preeclampsia.

Correlation Between Serum Paraoxonase Activity and High Density Lipoprotein Levels in Type2 Diabetes Predisposing to Aterosclerosis.

Human serum paraoxonase is physically associated with HDL and has been implicated in the detoxification of organophosphates and possibly in the prevention of LDL lipid peroxidation and therefore retards atherosclerosis. HDL levels are inversely related to the risk of developing atherosclerosis. We investigated the serum activity and concentration of paraoxonase and HDL levels in 104 subjects (42 diabetic patients without complications, 42 controls, 20 diabetic patients with complications.). Paraoxonase activity was found to be lower in diabetic patients than in controls. Similarly there was reduction in HDL levels in cases suggesting a positive correlation between HDL and paraoxonase levels.

Stress Induced Diabetes in Burns Patients.

Patients with severe burns typically experience a systemic response expressed as increased metabolism, inflammation, alteration of cardiac and immune function and associated hyperglycemia. Stress hyperglycemia is common in patients with hypertonic dehydration in conditions like burns and shock. In some people stress. Hyperglycemia may indicate a reduced insulin secretary capacity or a reduced sensitivity, and in sometimes the first clue to incipient diabetes. The present study is to reveal the number of burn patients who have developed stress hyperglycemia. Indicating the increased of infections complications in them.

Radix formation between median and musculocutaneous nerves: embryological, morphological and clinical correlation.

In ours study we report radix formation between median nerve and musculocutaneous nerves. The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Nalgonda Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India. During routine cadaveric dissections in the upper limbs, we observed an anastomosis (radix) between median and musculocutaneous nerves in the arm. Variations in the origin, course, branching pattern, communications was observed. These variations have clinical significance in brachial plexus block and surgical procedures.

Angiosomes of medial cord of brachial plexus.

This anatomical study analyzed the neurovascular relationship of the brachial plexus. Ten formalized specimens of brachial plexuses were examined after injection of lead oxide in to the subclavian artery. The vascular, anatomical features of the brachial plexus were documented .The specimens were analyzed by dissection method, subjected for microscopic study. The vascular supply was markedly rich, often with true anastomotic channels found within the nerves. There was much variation in supply, depending on the branching pattern of subclavian artery.

Clinical significance of urine myoglobin in high voltage electrical burns.

Electrical burns constitute a relatively large proportion of burns . Electrical current causes complex, unprecedented and unpredicted injuries. Serious tissue damage and mortality is caused by high voltage among all types of electrical burns . Myoglobinuria induced acute renal failure is a potentially lethal consequence of electrical injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of urine myoglobin in the early prediction of acute renal failure in electrical burns. Study includes 21 patients of high volatage electrical burns underwent four different Renal parameters i.e blood urea, serum creatinine, serum potassium and urine myoglobin levels. Blood urea , and serum potassium levels were deranged in five patients of high voltage electrical burns who went into acute renal failure. Whereas urine myoglobin levels were deranged in all twenty one patients with high voltage electrical burns.

Study of biochemical bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women leading to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the term used for diseases that cause a reduction in the mass of bone perunit volume and is one of the dreaded afflictions of ageing. Osteoporosis increases bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. This silently progressing metabolic bone disease is widely prevealent in India. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of biochemical bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Study includes 70 women (40 postmenopausal, 30 premenopausal women) serum estradiol, serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary hydroxyproline were estimated in both cases and controls. There is decrease in serum estrodiaol levels in postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women estrogen deficiency induces bone loss similarly ALP is highly significant P<0.001 in prostmenopausal women suggesting that there is high alkaline phosphate activity in postmenopausal women as a result of the inhibitory effects of estrogen on bone turnover rate which is dependent on age and body mass index. Increased excretion of urinary hydroxyproline is due to increase in bone loss and this was a characteristic feature of immediate postmenopausal period.

Relationship between estrogen and lipid profile status in postmenopausal women.

Menopause is the permanent cessation of mensturation due to loss of ovarian follicular function, which results in decreased production of estradiol and other hormones. Decreased levels of estrogen leads to variations in lipid profile leading to atherosclerosis thus by increasing risk of coronary artery disease in post menopausal women. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum estradiol and lipid profile status in postmenopausal women to assess risk for coronary artery disease. Study includes 70 subjects, 30 healthy premenopausal women (25-40yrs) and the healthy postmenopausal women in the age group of (55 – 65yrs).Serum estradiol and lipid profile status were estimated in both cases and controls. Reduced estradiol (P0.0001) in post menopausal women and p value is highly significant for total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins. Conclusion: Thus the study outlines that the low levels of estrogen exerts a significant effect on the plasma lipids and lipoprotein metabolism. The risk of coronary artery disease increases in women after menopause.