Evaluation of skin disorders, skin sebum and moisture in patients with Parkinson’s disease

@#Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor and nonmotor symptoms. Skin manifestations may be seen in patients due to autonomic dysfunction or iatrogenic reasons. In this study, we aimed to identify various skin disorders and compare the skin sebum and moisture percent ages in patients with Parkinson’s disease with healthy controls. Methods: Forty patients with Parkinson’s disease and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. Dermatological history of the patients and dermatological examination were recorded. A portable pen-shaped LCD Display Digital Skin Moist Oil Analyzer (Reyoung-Beauty, Guangdong, China) was used to measure the sebum and the moisture in the skin. Results: In this study, the skin disorders consisted of acneiform and sebum related changes, seborrheic dermatitis, anterolateral leg alopecia, and angular cheilitis, bullous pemphigoid and melanoma. Increased sweating and seborrhea were frequent complaints. While skin sebum content was significantly higher in patients compared to the control group, skin moisture did not differ significantly between the groups. Cutaneous malignancy or iatrogenic skin disorders were not detected in any patient.

Net facility aiding medical students towards their education.

Background: Use of computer and information technology has revolutionized the current concepts of learning. The internet, one of the key developments in this field, provides instant access to latest medical information. As the scenario of medical practice is becoming evidence based, it is imperative for the current generation medical students to become updated. Aim: To estimate the extent and purpose of internet usage for upgrading of knowledge among undergraduates of a medical university. Material and Method: This study was conducted at J.N Medical College, Wardha. Two-hundred and six MBBS students were given a validated questionnaire survey to fill and the data was then interpreted. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using frequency and percentages. Results: Eighty-three percent of students used internet facility, 52% percent used it for academic purpose. Only 2% used it for more than 2 hours in a day mostly to prepare seminars (97%) and search topics (95%) of interest as persuaded by the professors. Students (27%) felt the need to use the net for viewing clinical exams and online lectures and fourteen percent read journals to advance their knowledge. Students felt that internet is helpful for learning (82%) and it should be part of the curriculum (72%). Conclusion: The medical students have still not mentally accepted internet facility to increase their academic proficiency and updating the fast changing advancement and researches in medical sciences.

Food poisoning outbreaks in the first six months 2006 in Vietnam

Background: quality of food hygiene and safety directly affected public health. In Vietnam, after 5 years implementing the programs on ensure food safety, the aspects of food safety had improved significantly; food poisoning had been gradually controlled but still high. Objectives: to access on food poisoning outbreak in first six months of 2006 in Vietnam. Subjectives and Method: a cross sectional and retrospective study on food poisoning outbreak in first six months of 2006. The studied subjectives including: health staffs of provincial preventive centre, staffs in charge of food safety work; documents of food poisoning were stored in VFA. Results: there were 204 outbreaks in 58 provinces with 4.198 victims and 44 deaths or the mortality rate was 1.05%. By causes, percentages of outbreaks, cases and deaths due to bacterial pathogens were 41.7%, 53.4% and 0.0% respectively; due to chemical contamination: 12.7%, 13.0% and 4.5%; due to food denature: 9.3%, 17.2% and 11.4%; and due to natural toxicants: 34.8%, 15.2% and 81.4%, respectively. The number of deaths was highest in North-east and North-west areas (35 cases), in North and South Central coast (5 cases), and in Mekong river data (4 cases). Similarly, the mortality rates in these three regions were 5.0%, 0.49% and 0.27%, respectively. Conclusions: here were 204 outbreaks in 58 provinces with 4.198 victims and 44 deaths. Causes due to bacterial pathogens were the highest, followed by due to natural toxicants. The number of deaths was highest in North-highland.

The Evaluation of Noncycloplegic and Cycloplegic Autorefraction in Children According to the Age

We analysed the difference of values between noncycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefractionand refraction by ophthalmologist in children. We classified the 109 children [218 eyes] who did not have strabismus or amblyopia into five groups according to the age. Their age ranged from 3 to 12. They were examined with Canon RK-3 autorefractor before and after cycloplegia and then, cycloplegic and post-cycloplegic refraction were performed by ophthalmologist. Discrepancies beyond 0.5D in spherical and cylindrical power and 10 degree in cylindrical axis were regarded as significant. The percentages of discrepancy were greater in spherical power between noncycloplegic autorefraction and refraction by ophthalmologist especially in young age groups[p<0.05]. The percentages of discrepancy were greater in spherical and cylindrical power between cycloplegic autorefraction and refraction by ophthalmologist especially in young age groups[p<0.05]. The percentages of discrepancy of cycloplegic autorefraction showed a tendency to be greater than those of noncycloplegic autorefraction in spherical power as compared with refraction by ophthalmologist. In conclusion, the refractive measurements of cycloplegic autorefractor is not close to those of refraction by ophthalmologist in children. The refraction by ophthalmologist must be recommended for correction of refractive errors in children.