PREVENTION OF POST-OPERATIVE WOUND INFECTION IN ABDOMINAL OPERATIONS

One hundred patients undergoing abdominal surgery were included in this prospective study. The role of local application of Betadine, use of synthetic sutures, and use of low pressure subcutaneous suction drainage were evaluated in preventing post-operative wound infection. The infection rate was 15 per cent with Betadine, 15.4 per cent with prolene, 20 per cent with subcutaneous suction drainage and 30.8 per cent in the control group.KEY WORDS: Surgical wound infection, Betadine, Sutures, Infection control     

Multigenic control of skin tumor susceptibility in SENCARA/Pt mice

Skin tumors induced in mice by initiation-promotion (2 microg DMBA-2 microg TPA) protocols were found to be under multigenic control. Eighty- one N2 mice from the cross (BALB/cAnPt x SENCARA/Pt)F1 x SENCARA/Pt that were either solidly resistant (no papillomas) or highly susceptible (> or = 7 papillomas/mouse) were subjected to a 'genome scan' using 89 microsatellite markers to check for associations with susceptible and resistant phenotypes. A locus on Chr 5 (Skts4) was found to control the susceptibility of SENCARA/Pt mice and the resistance of BALB/cAnPt mice to papilloma formation. In addition, higher than expected linkage scores were seen for the markers D9Mit271, D11Mit268 and D12Mit56. Further work is required to establish whether genes determining papilloma formation are located in these regions of the genome. In general, no evidence was seen for loss of heterozygosity in microsatellite markers on Chrs 5, 9 and 11 in 17 microdissected papillomas from (BALB/c x SENCARA)F1 hybrid mice.      

HIV AND TUBERCULOSIS CO-INFECTION IN A REFERRAL CHEST HOSPITAL

Serving personnel of Armed Forces admitted with tuberculosis between Apr 1996–1999 were evaluated for co-infection of tuberculosis and HIV. Sixty (1.06%) of tuberculosis patients were found to be HIV positive. Initial test was done by spot kits and subsequently confirmed by ELISA on two different samples. Majority of the cases were in sexually active age group 48 (80%). Alcohol and smoking was associated in 80% cases. Thirty six (60%) were sputum smear positive for AFB. Twenty eight (46.7%) gave history of exposure to sex workers. Family members were not available for study. Sero prevalence of HIV in association with tuberculosis is less in Armed Forces compared to civil population.KEY WORDS: HIV, Seroprevalence, Tuberculosis     

Humeral blade plate fixation of intercalary allografts and segmentally comminuted proximal humeral fractures: a preliminary report

The AO 90° humeral blade plate is a relatively new device, whose primary indication and previously described use is for proximal humeral fracture non-union. This study describes the use of the humeral blade plate for extended indications-fixation of segmentally comminuted proximal humeral fractures in two patients and fixation of humeral intercalary allografts after primary humeral neoplasm resection in three patients. A mean follow-up of 20 months revealed union in both fractures and five of the six allograft-host junctions. One patient required subsequent bone grafting for non-union at a proximal allograft-host junction. Functional results were excellent in three patients, good in one, and fair in one. Problems encountered intraoperatively were directly related to the limited array of implants. The long plates which were needed had blades which were too long and required intra-operative trimming in three cases. In four cases, additional plates were used to supplement the blade plate for distal fixation. In conclusion, the humeral blade plate is a useful device for fixation in these extended indications, but longer plates with 30.0 and 40.0-mm blade lengths should be made available.     

广州队列研究生物库中条形码技术应用与评价

目的建立大规模人群的分子流行病学队列研究生物库，确保快速、准确地识别每一份生物样本，并保持其活性，以便长时间跟踪研究。方法采用条形码识别技术对血液样品的采集、处理及存储、查询过程进行全程管理。结果创建成功以条形码自动识别技术为核心的新型运作管理模式，建立起10000人份的生物样品库。大型生物样本库实施条形码管理系统可缩短每份样品的处理时间，提高工作效率1．5倍。结论条形码技术的应用可有效地避免样品间的相互混淆，使实验室每一项工作准确、可靠、高效，实现医学研究工作全面信息化，提高基因队列研究的质量。     

Effect of a structured asthma education program on hospitalized asthmatic children: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an intensive asthma education program (group B) with that of a standard asthma education program (group A). METHODS: A prospective randomized single blinded study was conducted in the pediatric department of a public hospital in Hong Kong. Children aged 2-15 years admitted to the pediatric department with an acute attack of asthma were recruited. A standard asthma education program (group A) or an intensive asthma education program (group B) for children were offered. The main outcome measures include the number of visits to the emergency department and the number of hospitalization for asthma during the 3 month follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 45 children were in group A and 55 in group B. Group B had statistically significant reductions in the number of visits to the emergency department and the number of hospitalizations. Drug compliance was also significantly improved in group B. Parents' satisfaction rate was also higher in group B. CONCLUSION: The intensive asthma education program might be more cost effective than the standard asthma education program in the management of asthmatic children admitted to hospital in Hong Kong.     

Spinal epidural abscesses – The role for non-operative management: A systematic review

BackgroundSpinal Epidural Abscesses (SEAs) are traditionally seen as a surgical emergency. However, SEAs can be discovered in entirely asymptomatic patients. This presents a dilemma for the attending clinician as to whether to subject these patients to significant surgery. This systematic review updates the evidence surrounding the efficacy of non-operative SEA management by means of intravenous antibiotics ± radiologically-guided aspiration.Aims1. To assess failure rates of medical therapy for SEA. The absolute definition of ‘failure’ used by the study was recorded, and comparisons made. 2. To review of risk factors for success/failure of medical treatment for SEA.MethodsA database search with the MESH term ‘epidural abscess’ and keywords [‘treatment’ OR ‘management’] were used.Results14 studies were included. The number of SEA patients managed non-operatively ranged from 19 to 142. There was significant heterogeneity across the studies. Pooled Failure of Medical Therapy (FMT) (defined as any poor outcome) was 29.40%. When FMT = mortality the pooled rate was 11.49%. Commonly cited risk factors for FMT included acute neurological compromise, diabetes mellitus, increasing age and Staphylococcus aureus.ConclusionSEA will always be a condition mostly managed surgically. Despite this, there is growing evidence that non-operative management can be possible in the correct patients. The key is in patient selection – patients with any of the above-mentioned risk factors have the potential to deteriorate further on medical treatment and have a worse outcome than if they had undergone emergency surgery straight away. Ongoing research will hopefully further investigate this crucial step.     

Review of the Potential of the Ni/Cu Plating Technique for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Developing a better method for the metallization of silicon solar cells is integral part of realizing superior efficiency. Currently, contact realization using screen printing is the leading technology in the silicon based photovoltaic industry, as it is simple and fast. However, the problem with metallization of this kind is that it has a lower aspect ratio and higher contact resistance, which limits solar cell efficiency. The mounting cost of silver pastes and decreasing silicon wafer thicknesses encourages silicon solar cell manufacturers to develop fresh metallization techniques involving a lower quantity of silver usage and not relying pressing process of screen printing. In recent times nickel/copper (Ni/Cu) based metal plating has emerged as a metallization method that may solve these issues. This paper offers a detailed review and understanding of a Ni/Cu based plating technique for silicon solar cells. The formation of a Ni seed layer by adopting various deposition techniques and a Cu conducting layer using a light induced plating (LIP) process are appraised. Unlike screen-printed metallization, a step involving patterning is crucial for opening the masking layer. Consequently, experimental procedures involving patterning methods are also explicated. Lastly, the issues of adhesion, back ground plating, process complexity and reliability for industrial applications are also addressed.