Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for retinoblastoma survivors: a cost-effectiveness study.

This study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for the reproductive choices of patients with heritable retinoblastoma. The study modelled the costs of three cycles of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and PGD across all uptake rates of PGD, number of children affected with retinoblastoma at each uptake rate and the estimated quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the Australian public healthcare perspective. The intervention was the use of three cycles (one fresh and two frozen) of IVF and PGD with the aim of live births unaffected by the retinoblastoma phenotype. Compared with the standard care pathway (i.e. natural pregnancy), IVF and PGD resulted in a cost-saving to 18 years of age of AUD$2,747,294 for a base case of 100 couples with an uptake rate of 50%. IVF and PGD resulted in fewer affected (n = 56) and unaffected (n = 78) live births compared with standard care (71 affected and 83 unaffected live births), and an additional 0.03 QALYs per live birth. This modelling suggests that the use of IVF and PGD to achieve an unaffected child for patients with heritable retinoblastoma resulted in an overall cost-saving. There was an increase in QALYs per baby across all uptake rates. However, in total, fewer babies were born following the IVF and PGD pathway.

Estimation of Stature from Nasal Length.

INTRODUCTION: Estimation of stature for the purpose of identification has a significant forensic importance. This technique is based on a principle that bones or human body parts correlate positively with the stature. Stature can be estimated from measurements of various body parts such as arm, leg, feet, finger, facial height, nasal height etc. The aim of study was to correlate Stature of Nepalese with Nasal height and estimate Stature from Nasal height. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 214 healthy adults comprising 110 males and 104 females in the age group of 25 to 35 years were carried out. Study was carried out in central Nepal where people from various parts of Nepal are migrated. Total body height and Nasal height were recorded with stadiometer and sliding caliper respectively. RESULTS: The mean of total body height in the male and female was 160.4 (±6.80) cm and 151.8 (±4.88) cm respectively. The mean of nasal height in the male and female was 4.6 (±0.31) cm and 4.3 (±0.29) cm respectively. This study observed that in both male and female nasal height had positive partial correlation with stature; r = 0.18 for male and 0.19 for female. Stature in nepali population could be calculated as: Stature=148.22+3.02x nasal height in male where as Stature=133.01+3.12x nasal height in female. CONCLUSIONS: Both Nepali male and female nasal height had positive partial correlation with stature; r = 0.18 for male and 0.19 for female. Stature in Nepali population could be calculated as: Stature=148.22+3.02x nasal height in male where as Stature=133.01+3.12x nasal height in female.

A morphometric study of human pancreas in Nepalese people.

Considering the seriousness of pancreatic diseases and the utmost importance of its correct diagnosis and treatment, a morphometric study of pancreas among Nepalese population has emerged as a demand of present time. This study was carried out to establish a normal dimension of pancreas which could be a guideline for the correct diagnosis, treatment and research on various diseases related to it. Thus, a descriptive type of study was done within a period of eight years of time (2004-2011) on 40 pancreases of both sexes and different age groups, collected from embalmed cadavers from four medical colleges of Kathmandu, Nepal. The obtained specimens of pancreas were classified according to the age and sex. Simultaneously, the weight and length were measured. The data was statistically analyzed and compared, which revealed that the mean size of pancreas was significantly larger in below forty years of age group. Although, there was no significant difference in the size of pancreas between male and female, the pancreas of male subjects was found larger. Thus, the result of the present study not only provides standard dimension of pancreas in Nepalese peoples but also reveals that it is larger in younger people and males.

Supernumerary head of Biceps brachii: a rare occurrence in the Nepalese population.

Unilateral three headed biceps brachii muscle was observed in the dissected cadaver of a 45-year-old Nepalese cadaver. The supernumerary head is taking origin from the tendon of deltoid and crossing in front of the long head of biceps and joining with short head of biceps brachii. The incidence of this variation is very rare and there was no available literature in Nepalese population. Presence of such variation should be kept in mind by surgeons and traumatologists.

Can homemade alcohol (Raksi) be useful for preserving dead bodies? An experiment on wistar albino rats.

INTRODUCTION: Embalming is the through disinfection and art of preserving bodies after death using chemical substances. It keeps a body life like in appearance during the time it lies in a state prior to funeral. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of Raksi in sacrificed rats in arresting postmortem changes and establishing scientific fact whether Raksi can be an alternative to standard embalming constituent if it is not available. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 albino rats were systematically randomized into control and experiment groups. Raksi and distilled water were injected for embalming purpose intraventricularly in experiment and control groups of rats respectively and kept for 48 to 96 hours for observation for postmortem changes. RESULT: Observations made at 48 and 72 hours of embalming revealed that Raksi can arrest postmortem changes in the rats up to 72 hours (3rd day) successfully in the experimental group whereas moderate to severe postmortem changes were seen in the control group. The experimental group showed mild degree of putrefactive changes, liberation of gases and liquefaction of tissues only at 96 hours (4th day) of embalming. DISCUSSION: The Raksi used in this experiment contained 34% of alcohol, which was determined by an alcohol hydrometer. Experiment clearly demonstrated from its result that raksi can be utilised temporarily for embalming since it contains alcohol and has preservative, bactericidal and disinfectant properties. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from the study that this knowledge if applied to dead human subjects, may preserve dead bodies temporarily allowing delayed funeral.