Development of Computerized Tool for Screening Thai Children at Risk for Learning Disabilities.

A computerized version of "Noo-Khor-Arn" `May I read?', a paper-based screening test for Thai children at risk with Learning Disability (LD), was developed and some core ideas of development were given in details. Six test categories with 23 subtests were conducted on 110 Thai children aged between 7-12 years old (Mean = 7.94, SD = 1.45), divided into 50 LD and 60 Typically Developing (TD) children to determine most relevant test categories and subtests for classifying between the groups. Two-factor balanced Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that a computerized version shown a significant difference between TD and LD groups in the tasks related to linguistics, decoding, and naming. These tasks were Phonological Awareness (PA), Morphological Awareness (MA), Decoding (DEC), and Rapid Naming (RN), respectively. The rest of the test categories showed non-significant factors between TD and LD. Not only the results can be used for classification but also for streamlining the test categories and subtests, to shorten the test tool.Clinical relevance- The subtests related to linguistics and decoding aspects showed promising results in screening children at risk for learning disabilities.

The incidence of rotavirus a isolates of G genotype in Thailand in 2002-2004.

Rotaviruses are the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis among infants and young children worldwide. Between November 2002 and March 2004, 36 stool specimens of 108 children with acute diarrhea in Bangkok, Thailand were found positive for Rotavirus A (RV-A) by RT-PCR. The 36 isolates were subjected to genotyping by RFLP analysis and direct sequencing of a part of the gene for major outer capsid glycoprotein VP7. The sequences obtained were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Among the isolates the genotypes G1 (5.6%), G2 (69.4 %) and G9 (25.0 %) were found. Comparison of these results with those of previous studies covering the period of 1982-1999 revealed a changing pattern of RV-A G genotypes and thus contributed to the understanding of RV-A epidemiology in Thailand. Any vaccine to be developed against this virus should target the G9 genotype as one of common global genotypes.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms infected with salmonella: problems of treatment.

Seven patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms infected with salmonella organisms were surgically treated between 1985 and 1988. Salmonella culture was obtained from the wall of the aneurysm in every patient, and in five patients it was identified as Salmonella typhimurium. S. choleraesuis and salmonella group D (isolated from this patient but not speciated) were found in the other two remaining patients. Three patients underwent aneurysmal resection with axillofemoral bypass grafting, and three patients were treated by aneurysmal resection with in situ graft; two of this group had the wall and infective periaortic tissue excised. One patient died during the operation as a result of rupture of the aneurysm. Therapeutic doses of antibiotic drugs were given to all of the patients. Although two of the patients in the first group (with the axillofemoral bypass graft) died and the remaining patient had very complicated postoperative course, all the patients in the second group (with in situ graft) survived. We think that in situ graft placement after an extensive debridement of the aneurysmal wall and infected periaortic tissue together with more effective and adequate antibiotic therapy for at least 6 weeks after the operation is a satisfactory method of surgical treatment of this condition. However, graft infection is still a possibility, therefore regular follow-up is needed.

Human pythiosis associated with thalassemia hemoglobinopathy syndrome.

Pythium infection (pythiosis) in humans has not previously been described, even in areas endemic for animal pythiosis. We report five patients with a unique presentation of fungal arteritis. The medium- to large-sized arteries were involved, and in some cases this involvement led to gangrene of the limbs, aneurysm formation, and ultimately fatal arterial leakage. All five patients were farmers. All patients, with the possible exception of one who had hemoglobin typing performed after receiving a blood transfusion, had thalassemia hemoglobinopathy syndrome. Fungal isolation was difficult. Amphotericin B treatment seemed to be ineffective. Radical surgical removal of infected tissues and oral administration of a saturated solution of potassium iodide are proposed therapy. In the tropics, where Pythium is ubiquitous, one should actively look for this fungal infection in patients with unexplained arterial occlusion, especially in the case of patients with thalassemia hemoglobinopathy syndrome.

Salmonella aortitis at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

Two cases of Salmonella aortitis were diagnosed by positive culture from the wall of aortic aneurysm. Common features in both cases included fever, abdominal/back pain and pulsatile abdominal mass with underlying severe atherosclerosis. The fatal outcome of both cases despite surgical and medical treatment was discussed and guideline of management was proposed.