ABSTRACT
PURPOSE@#Open tibia fracture is prone to infection, consequently causing significant morbidity and increasing the hospital stay, occupational loss and onset of chronic osteomyelitis. Intramedullary nailing is one choice for treating tibia shaft fractures. To improve the delivery of antibiotics at the tissue-implant interface, many methods have been proposed as a part of prophylaxis against infection. This study was conducted to study the role of gentamicin-impregnated intramedullary interlocking (IMIL) nail in the prevention of infection in Gustilo type I and II open tibia fractures and to compare the results with regular intramedullary nail.@*METHODS@#The study included 28 patients with open tibia fractures (Gustilo type 1 or type 2); of them 14 underwent regular IMIL nailing and the other 14 were treated with gentamicin-coated nailing. Randomization was done by alternate allocation of the patients. Follow-up was done postoperatively (day 1), 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months for bone union, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP). Statistical significance was tested using unpaired t-test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.@*RESULTS@#There were 4 cases of infection in controls (regular IMIL nail) and no infection among patients treated with gentamicin-coated nail during the follow up (X = 4.66, p = 0.031). At 6 months postoperatively, CRP (p = 0.031), ESR (p = 0.046) and hemoglobin level (p = 0.016) showed significant difference between two groups. The bone healing rate was better with gentamicin-coated nail in comparison to regular IMIL nail at 6 months follow-up (p = 0.016).@*CONCLUSION@#Gentamicin-coated IMIL nail has a positive role in preventing infection in Gustilo type I and II open tibia fractures.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The main objective of this innovative active learning approach was to increase student’s interest in basic science subjects and to enhance student participation in acquiring the knowledge in the core and applied aspects of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Ras Al Khaimah medical and health Sciences University, 6months Methodology: It was a comparative cross sectional study to find out whether Quiz competitions are effective teaching learning methodologies. There were 96 students in the class and students were asked to make their groups for the competition. Level of the questions asked in the integrated quiz varied from simple recall, comprehension, to application type from all three specialties. Results: A total ninety six students were involved in the study and results of the study showed a statistically significant improvement in the performance of students who have participated in the competition. The study also compared the performance of students who participated in the competition with non-quiz participants and we found that there was a statistically significant improvement in the performance of students who participated in the quiz competition with non-quiz participants P<0.001 both in theory (RRE) as well as in MCQ s section. Conclusion: The results in this study suggest that the integrated quizzes stimulate self and collaborative learning. They enhance the cognitive level of medical students and also help them to retain academic content.
ABSTRACT
Studies have provided strong evidence for the importance of primary or secondary inflammatory processes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A growing number of studies report that inflammation plays a crucial role in the cell biology of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to know the relationship between hs-CRP and cardiac markers in acute myocardial infarction patients. This case control study was conducted at the department of Biochemistry and department of Medicine, JSS Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka. The study protocol was approved by Research Ethics Committee of JSS Medical College. A total 60 subjects were included in the study in the age group of 50-68 years. CK-MB, LDH, AST and hs-CRP were estimated. There was a statistically significant difference between the hs- CRP levels of two groups. Cardiac marker values were significantly higher in cases compared to controls. But there was no correlation between cardiac markers and hs-CRP levels in cases. The CRP measurement has a lot of advantages. Firstly it is a stable compound and secondly it can be measured at any time of the day without regards to biological clock. In contrast to results for cytokines such as IL-6, no circadian variation appears to exist for hsCRP. Thus, clinical testing for hsCRP can be accomplished without regard for time of day. In conclusion we would like to say that hs-CRP levels could be used as risk assessment, diagnostic and prognostic marker in myocardial infarction patients.
ABSTRACT
Background and objectives Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a marker of evaluation of long-term glycemic control in diabetic patients and predict risks for the development and/or progression of diabetic complications. Glycosylation process depends on the exposure to glucose. Studies on chronic complications of diabetes established the role of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a marker of evaluation of long term glycemic control and risk for chronic complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the significance of calculated HbA1c by using fasting plasma glucose levels and comparison with duration of diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods The present study has 2 groups of subjects, 27 normal and 32 diabetic subjects. The diabetic subjects were divided into 2 groups based on complication i,e cataract and nephropathy with duration of diabetes. Plasma glucose was estimated by GOD – POD method. Estimation of glycated hemoglobin was done by calculation. Results and conclusion We found the significance in the duration of diabetes and the levels of glycated hemoglobin and fasting glucose levels were significantly increased in diabetic group as compared to normal subjects (p<0.001). Thus, calculated HbA1c levels can be used with regular checkups of FPG and HbA1c levels in diabetic patients at lesser cost.
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Blood banks use various processes to prevent infections that can be transmitted by blood donation. One important measure to prevent infection is to recruit donors from populations that are known to have low rates of infection for blood borne diseases, such as voluntary, unpaid donors and people with no history of intravenous drug use. A second measure is to ask donors a series of additional screening questions (these will vary by region) to help identify those who may be at higher risk of infection. Phlebotomists must adhere strictly to the rules for including and excluding blood donors. The process for collecting blood from donors is similar to that used for blood sampling; however, a few additional measures are required for collection of donated blood. These measures are primarily to ensure patient safety, but also to minimize exogenous contamination of a donated blood unit or its derived components, particularly contamination from the skin flora of the donor’s arm.
ABSTRACT
Venepuncture is the preferred method of blood sampling for term neonates and causes less pain than heel-pricks. The choice of site and procedure (venous site, finger-prick or heel-prick – also referred to as “capillary sampling” or “skin puncture”) depends on the volume of blood needed for the procedure and the type of laboratory test to be done. Venepuncture is the method of choice for blood sampling in term neonates; however, it requires an experienced and trained phlebotomist. If a trained phlebotomist is not available, the physician may need to draw the blood sample. The blood from a capillares is similar to an arterial blood in oxygen content, and is suitable for only a limited number of tests because of its higher likelihood of contamination with skin flora and smaller total volume.