Investigating the informed consent process, therapeutic misconception and motivations of Egyptian research participants: a qualitative pilot study

Few studies have explored the informed consent process among research participants in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the informed consent process, therapeutic misconception and motivation for participation among Egyptians participating in clinical trials. In a cross-sectional qualitative pilot study 103 participants in 10 clinical trials responded to a questionnaire. Over 90% agreed they had time to ask questions and received adequate information about the risks prior to consenting. All participants thought the research and the drug would improve their condition; only 46.1% were aware of receiving a non-approved experimental drug and 21.3% of being randomized. Reasons for participation included: better treatment [100%], to benefit society and advance science [85.4%], to receive free drugs [42.6%] and medical care [43.6%], to get hospitalized [15.8%] and to receive money or gifts [4.9%]. Investigators need to emphasize the distinction between research and clinical care to address the high rate of therapeutic misconception

Attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research

The attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research and the independent socioeconomic factors associated with these attitudes are not known. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 120 patients attending dental clinics in Amman, Jordan. For patients who had previously participated in research [N = 28], motivating factors for most [> 75%] included a desire to help others and to advance science. Most respondents [81.7%] showed interest in participating in questionnaire-based research, but fewer would participate in invasive research, e.g. biopsies [22.0%] and drilling teeth [21.2%]. Reasons given for not participating in research included fear of infectious diseases [71.3%] and pain [62.1%]. Factors considered important in enhancing research participation included being asked to give informed consent [98.2%], fairness in selection of participants [97.3%] and the prospect of humanitarian benefit [96.5%]. Sex and education level were significantly associated with patients' perceptions for several of items. To enhance recruitment, researchers should be aware of people's perspectives regarding participation in research

systolic to diastolic duration ratio in children with normal cardiac function and its relation to heart rate, age and body surface area

We have shown the ratio of systole to diastole to be a valuable global index of ventricular dysfunction in pediatric dilated and restrictive cardiomyopathy and also of ventricular function of the single systemic right ventricle in children who have undergone Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart. As this index may be a valuable indicator of ventricular performance in other conditions, normal reference values need to be established. The purpose of this study was to establish normal values for the S/D ratio in children and to investigate its relation to heart rate, age and body surface area. We reviewed 179 echocardiograms of healthy children and young adults [mean: 70.18 months, SD: +/- 65.12 months, range 0.02 months to 19 years] and measured the average duration of the holosystolic tricuspid regurgitant jet [systolic interval]. The remainder of the cardiac cycle [i.e the period between 2 tricuspid regurgitant jets] was defined as the diastolic interval. We evaluated the relation between the S/D ratio and heart rate, age and body surface area by univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. Ranges, mean values and standard deviations are reported from age 0.02 months to 19 years [70.18 +/- 65.12 months], BSA 0.11 to 2.51m[2] [0.85 +/- 0.55] and heart rate 50 to 156 bpm [96.72 +/- 23.19]. The systolic period ranged between 208.5 to 467 msec [314.08 +/- 52.57] and the diastolic period between 166.5 to 809 msec [341.34 +/- 129.61] yielding a S/D ratio between 0.397 to 1.62 [0.995 +/- 0.23]. The S/D ratio correlated positively with heart rate [y = 0.0073x+0.2969, r = 0.72]. However, in multivariate analysis there was no significant correlation with age and body surface. Heart rate had a greater effect on shortening the diastolic period, in an exponential fashion [y = 130679x -1.3232, r = -0.88] than on systolic period which responded in linear fashion [y = -1.9228x + 500.05, r = -0.85]. We provide normal reference values for the S/D ratio across a wide range of heart rates in children, adolescents and young adults

Arabic gastural morse code communication for speechless patients who are severely motorically impaired

An augmentative communication technique is described in this paper for severely dysarthric quadriplegics who can spell words in Arabic. Patients signal the Morse codes for letters of words either by making two gestures [e.g., gazing to the right for a "dot" and the left for a "dash"] or a single gesture at two durations [e.g., a relatively short eyeblink for a "dot" and a relatively long one for a "dash"]. A copy of the Morse code for the Arabic alphabet is included

prevention of stuttering

Several explanations for the onset of stuttering are discussed in this paper. The main focus is on the explanation [known as the diagnosogenic theory] which states that children begin to stutter because they become self-conscious, embarrassed, and/or ashamed about repeating sounds, syllables, and single syllable words and try to avoid doing it. These types of repetitions are perfectly normal when they occur in the speech of children between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years. Evidence is presented that supports this theory is discussed

Telecommunication relay services for the hearing and speech impaired in arab countries: a proposal with options

Approximately 10% of the persons in most countries cannot use a standard telephone [or can only use one with great difficulty] because of a speech and/or hearing impairment. A telecommunication relay service can provide telephone services to such persons that are "functionally equivalent" to those available to persons who do not have these disabilities. These services are described and options are considered for making them available to persons in Arab countries with hearing or speech impairment