European surgical survey of acute pancreatitis--union of diversity

The widely variable nature of acute pancreatitis renders it a challenging disease to manage via standardized approaches. King and Siriwardena present their findings from a survey of European surgical approaches to diagnostic and therapeutic management of severe acute pancreatitis in an attempt to delineate areas of discordance that may help direct future studies. An erratic trend in the management of severe acute pancreatitis is evident despite growing evidence to support several diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as standards of care. On the other hand, areas of discordance largely characterize those currently lacking in adequate literature support underscoring the need to generate randomized studies that will address them.     

Efficacy of permethrin cream and oral ivermectin in treatment of scabies

Objective To compare the efficacy of mass treatment of scabies with permethrin cream and oral ivermectin in a closed urban pediatric population. Methods A comparative trial of topical permethrin and oral ivermectin was conducted in a closed population of 84 children living in a urban hostel of Delhi. Results After mass treatment with 2 doses of oral ivermectin, one case was recorded in following 6 months, as compared to 22 cases in preceding 6 months when children were treated with a single application of 5% permethrin. Conclusion Mass treatment of scabies with ivermectin in an endemic population is more efficacious as compared to topical permethrin application in reducing the baseline prevalence, decreasing the chain of transmission and chances of reinfection.     

The destination of Pacific Island health professional graduates from a New Zealand university

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There is a shortage of health professionals in Pacific Island states and territories, and a need in New Zealand for Pacific health professionals to serve Pacific communities. METHODS: A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted to investigate retention of Pacific graduates. All graduates of Pacific ethnicity or nationality from the University of Otago in the years 1994 to 2004 in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and medical laboratory science were included. RESULTS: The response rate was 59% (75 out of 128). Only 7% of respondents were working in the Pacific Islands (12% of non-residents and 4% of New Zealand residents), though the proportion in the whole cohort could be up to 20%. One third intended to work in Pacific communities in New Zealand or the Pacific Islands in the future. Factors that would favour such an intention were an adequate income, job availability, and good working conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Retention of graduates in the Pacific Islands is poor and measures to improve retention are needed.     

Trends and relationship between chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature in the central equatorial Indian Ocean

This work presents the trend analysis and relationship between chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration and sea surface temperature (SST) in the central equatorial Indian Ocean (CEIO) using Aqua MODIS chl-a Level-3 Standard Mapped Image (SMI) data for a period of 10 years (2002–2012). In order to understand the monsoonal variability of chl-a concentration and SST and to evaluate their relationships over the CEIO, trend analysis of chl-a values was carried out. The area average chl-a concentration in the region shows a weak annual cycle with high concentration during winter (October–December) and low in summer (June). High chl-a concentration (~0.22 mg m^?3) is observed during early winter in the region. Chl-a concentration starts decreasing from March onwards until the onset of summer monsoon. The data reveal low chl-a concentrations during summer period, i.e., from June to September, which is in accordance with several observations, and higher concentrations during October to December. The other reason is that satellite sensor may not capture chl-a variability more accurately because of cloud cover during summer monsoon time. A reasonably significant coefficient of determination (R² = 0.51; significant at p < 0.05 level) between SST and chl-a concentration is recorded. This study clearly suggests that the SST acts as a proxy for variables which cause high chl-a concentration in the CEIO.     

The association of hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria with vesicoureteral reflux in children

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - One of the important complications of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the development of urolithiasis. Identifying factors involved in development of...