Can TCM Treatment be Performed on the Basis of Differential Diagnosis of the Diseases Instead of the Syndromes?

Great advances have been achieved in the integrationof western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).More and more TCM physicians in their practiceaccept the term‘differential diagnosis of the diseases’instead of the syndromes since western medicine hasbeen introduced into the TCM circle.However,differentiation of the syndromes is still the     

Does lifestyle increase the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension?

A case-control study was carried out in Alor Gajah to determine the socio-economic, dietary and lifestyle factors and the occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension. There were a total of 30 cases who were selected from antenatal mothers attending 3 selected health centers in 1998. The control group consisted of 30 antenatal mothers who were matched according to health centre, race and age. The results showed that pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly associated with obesity (P < 0.05) and being a housewife (P < 0.05).     

Can venous base excess replace arterial base excess as a marker of early shock and a predictor of survival in trauma?

INTRODUCTION

Arterial base excess is an established marker of shock and predictor of survival in trauma patients. However, venous blood is more quickly and easily obtained. This study aimed to determine if venous base excess could replace arterial base excess as a marker in trauma patients at presentation and if venous base excess is predictive of survival at 24 hours and one week.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of 394 trauma patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary hospital over a 17-month period. Data on base excess at presentation, vital signs, shock index (SI), injury severity score (ISS), and mortality at 24 hours and one week was collected and analysed.

RESULTS

Arterial and venous blood gas tests were performed on 260 and 134 patients, respectively. Patients were stratified into groups based on their SI and ISS for analysis. There was no statistical difference between mean venous blood gas and arterial blood gas levels at presentation when SI > 0.7, regardless of ISS (p > 0.05). The mortality rate was 4.57%. Both venous and arterial base excess was lower in nonsurvivors compared to survivors (p < 0.05). However, at 24 hours and one week, the difference in base excess values at presentation between survivors and nonsurvivors was greater when using venous base excess compared to arterial base excess (11.53 vs. 4.28 and 11.41 vs. 2.66, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, venous base excess can replace arterial base excess in trauma patients as a means of identifying and prognosticating early shock.     

Does pornography-blocking software block access to health information on the Internet?

Context  The Internet has become an important tool for finding health information, especially among adolescents. Many computers have software designed to block access to Internet pornography. Because pornography-blocking software cannot perfectly discriminate between pornographic and nonpornographic Web sites, such products may block access to health information sites, particularly those related to sexuality. Objective  To quantify the extent to which pornography-blocking software used in schools and libraries limits access to health information Web sites. Design and Setting  In a simulation of adolescent Internet searching, we compiled search results from 24 health information searches (n = 3206) and 6 pornography searches (n = 781). We then classified the content of each site as either health information (n = 2467), pornography (n = 516), or other (n = 1004). We also compiled a list of top teen health information sites (n = 586). We then tested 6 blocking products commonly used in schools and libraries and 1 blocking product used on home computers, each at 2 or 3 levels of blocking restrictiveness. Main Outcome Measure  Rates of health information and pornography blocking. Results  At the least restrictive blocking setting, configured to block only pornography, the products blocked a mean of only 1.4% of health information sites. The differences between blocking products was small (range, 0.6%-2.3%). However, about 10% of health sites found using some search terms related to sexuality (eg, safe sex, condoms) and homosexuality (eg, gay) were blocked. The mean pornography blocking rate was 87% (range, 84%-90%). At moderate settings, the mean blocking rate was 5% for health information and 90% for pornography. At the most restrictive settings, health information blocking increased substantially (24%), but pornography blocking was only slightly higher (91%). Conclusions  Blocking settings have a greater impact than choice of blocking product on frequency of health information blocking. At their least restrictive settings, overblocking of general health information poses a relatively minor impediment. However, searches on some terms related to sexuality led to substantially more health information blocking. More restrictive blocking configurations blocked pornography only slightly more, but substantially increased blocking of health information sites.      

Can the written information to research subjects be improved?--an empirical study.

OBJECTIVES: To study whether linguistic analysis and changes in information leaflets can improve readability and understanding. DESIGN: Randomised, controlled study. Two information leaflets concerned with trials of drugs for conditions/diseases which are commonly known were modified, and the original was tested against the revised version. SETTING: Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 235 persons in the relevant age groups. MAIN MEASURES: Readability and understanding of contents. RESULTS: Both readability and understanding of contents was improved: readability with regard to both information leaflets and understanding with regard to one of the leaflets. CONCLUSION: The results show that both readability and understanding can be improved by increased attention to the linguistic features of the information.     

Is genetic information relevantly different from other kinds of non-genetic information in the life insurance context?

Within the medical, legal and bioethical literature, there has been an increasing concern that the information derived from genetic tests may be used to unfairly discriminate against individuals seeking various kinds of insurance; particularly health and life insurance. Consumer groups, the general public and those with genetic conditions have also expressed these concerns, specifically in the context of life insurance. While it is true that all insurance companies may have an interest in the information obtained from genetic tests, life insurers potentially have a very strong incentive to (want to) use genetic information to rate applicants, as individuals generally purchase their own cover and may want to take out very large policies. This paper critically focuses on genetic information in the context of life insurance. We consider whether genetic information differs in any relevant way from other kinds of non-genetic information required by and disclosed to life insurance companies by potential clients. We will argue that genetic information should not be treated any differently from other types of health information already collected from those wishing to purchase life insurance cover.     

Effect of an Environmental Contaminant,Diisopropyl Methylphosphonate,on the Blood Pressure of the Mallard

During a toxicological test using diisorpopyl methylphosphonate(DIMP)on mallards,an anaesthesia-like response was noted after oral dosing.In order to further elucidate these effects.arterial blood pressures were determined both pre-and post-dosing on adlt male and female mallards by cannulation of the left carotid artery.A significant decrease in systolic,diastolic,and mean blood pressure was noted after the oral administration of DIMP.There was no significant difference in response between males an females.During the first 30min after dosing,systolic pressure fell from an average of 158 mmHg,to 94mmHg,diastolic decreased from 127 mmHg to 63 mmHg,and mean blood pressure droped from 138mmHg to 75mmHg.However,there was no significant effect on pulse pressure,heart rate,or respiratory rate.These results are compared to physiological data cited in the literature for various CNS-acting drugs on mallards.     

Effect of firing cycle and surface finishing on the sag resistance of long-span metal ceramic framework using base metal alloys—an in vitro study

Background

The search for the ideal restorative material or combination of materials in dentistry is still the subject of modern dental research. In clinical practice, there are increased numbers of ceramo-metal restorations being fabricated which replace multiple missing teeth in a single framework. The literature is scanty with regard to investigations of the ‘sag’ resistance of base metal alloys commonly used for ceramo-metal restorations and specifically for long-span restorations.An in vitro study was carried out to investigate the effects of surface finishing and simulated porcelain-firing on the sag resistance of long-span ceramo-metal frameworks using base metal alloys.

Method

Four types of alloys were used. A total of 80 samples were selected for the study and they were divided into four groups of 20 samples each. ‘As cast’ metal specimens in group I, group II and with surface finishing in group III and group IV. Each test sample was mounted on the sample holding accessory of the custom made thermo mechanical analyser and subjected to three firing cycles. Each sample was evaluated for the sag-related deflection recorded by the dial gauge with an accuracy of 1 µm. The data recorded was subjected to a statistical analysis using unpaired t-test to compare the relative difference in the sag-related deflection values.

Results

It was observed that the values for sag-related deflection were significantly less for the ‘as cast’ samples of all the alloy groups. Nickelchromium (NiCr) and cobaltchromium (CoCr) exhibited value of 19.4 μm and 14.8 μm, respectively.

Conclusion

Among the four groups of alloys tested, CoCr based alloy exhibited the least amount of sag-related deflection. The results show that the sag-related deflection was less in Co-Cr alloys as compared with the NiCr alloys, still Ni-Cr alloys in fixed dental prostheses frameworks are used due to their desirable physical and chemical properties.Key Words: base metal alloys, sag resistance     

Is the smoking decision an 'informed choice'? Effect of smoking risk factors on smoking beliefs

The argument that people freely choose to smoke assumes that individuals at the point of initiation of smoking (often in adolescence) hold accurate beliefs about smoking. Smoking beliefs and the presence of known smoking risk factors were assessed in interviews with a sample of 895 urban young people. The respondents greatly overestimated the prevalence of adult and peer smoking, negative attitudes of their peers were greatly underestimated, a large proportion believed that they would be less likely than other people to contract a smoking-related illness if they became smokers, and there was a general lack of understanding of the adverse consequences experienced upon smoking cessation. These misperceptions were more common among youngsters who were smokers, who intended to smoke, or who had friends or family members who smoked. Because misinformation among young people is widespread and those at greatest risk for smoking are the most misinformed, the tobacco industry's argument that the decision to smoke reflects an "informed choice" is without merit.