Application of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the assessment of spring wheat quality

The present project was undertaken with the key objective to find out relationship of HMW and LMW glutenin sub-units and immunological test with bread making quality. The antibody response assessed through animal modelling by using rabbits as test animals showed significant variation towards high molecular weight glutenin (HMG) and low molecular weight glutenin (LMG) of different spring wheat varieties. A significant and positive relationship of bread sensory attributes with antibody response against HMG was observed. The mastication (r=0.64), texture (r=0.69), taste (r=0.72), aroma (r=0.68), grain (r=0.71) and total score (r=0.83) showed highly significant association with antibody response against HMG. The loaf volume correlated linearly with that of HMW antibody response (r=0.51). The LMG antibody response was negatively correlated with flour characteristics and sensorial attributes with non significant level.     

Cross-suturing as an aid to wound closure: a prospective randomised trial using the forearm flap donor site as a model.

Direct closure of a full thickness skin defect by suturing is the simplest and best solution in most cases. When suturing is not possible, then a skin graft may be the next choice for reconstruction. It is usual for the graft to be applied to the unaltered defect, accepting the size of the wound as the area to be grafted. This approach ignores the potential contribution of the elastic properties of the wound edges, which are so readily used to advantage in direct closure. A simple technique, which makes skin defects substantially smaller prior to skin grafting, is described. This technique benefits the primary defect by minimising the area of scar produced, as well as minimising the size of skin graft required and thus the graft donor site. The secondary defect of the radial forearm flap was used as a model wound in a prospective randomised trial to assess the use of this technique. Twenty successive patients undergoing free radial forearm flap surgery were entered into the trial. The technique consisted of preliminary cross-suturing of the wound prior to skin grafting. Half of the cases received cross-wound suturing and half of the cases had grafts applied to the unaltered area of the defect. Measurements of the forearm flap donor defects were taken using templates made at the time of surgery and at later intervals. A statistically significant reduction in the flap donor defects was achieved using the cross-suturing technique. Fewer complications such as skin graft failure and tendon adherence to graft were seen with the new technique. This technique is recommended not only for minimising morbidity in the radial forearm flap donor site, but also for reducing the size of any full thickness skin defect prior to skin grafting.     

Impact of stigma, culture and law on healthcare providers after occupational exposure to HIV and hepatitis C

Worldwide, approximately three million needlestick or sharps injuries occur annually during healthcare procedures, with an estimated 18-35 healthcare professionals (HCPs) acquiring HIV each year as a result. This qualitative study examined the lived experience of occupational exposure to HIV or hepatitis C reported by four HCPs working in a tertiary care hospital in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Findings were based on interviews conducted as part of a larger two-year study investigating an intervention to improve the reporting and management of blood and body fluid exposures (BBFE) in the hospital. The data showed that due to cultural differences, individuals exposed to the same disease within the same legal system could have different concerns. Five themes arose from the data: (1) experiencing the unexpected, (2) inevitability and finality, (3) impact of stigma, (4) responsibility and risk and (5) legal and financial implications. The participants' most important concerns and causes of stress arising from occupational BBFE were related to the social implications (i.e., stigma; legal and financial costs) rather than the biological consequences of the disease. Social implications like these may negatively impact on reporting of occupational BBFE in UAE, but may need to be addressed at a societal rather than organisational level.     

Relationship of spermatozoal DNA fragmentation with semen quality in varicocele‐positive men

The aim of the study was to assess the semen quality and levels of spermatozoal nuclear DNA fragmentation in subfertile subjects clinically diagnosed with varicocele, subfertile subjects without varicocele and healthy fertile controls. Semen samples were obtained from 302 subjects. Of them, 115 were healthy fertile controls having normal semen characteristics, 121 subfertile men diagnosed with varicocele, both, clinically and on ultrasonography, while 66 subjects were subfertile with no varicocele. Spermatozoal concentration, percentage motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation were measured. In the study population, deterioration in semen quality‐decreased spermatozoal concentration, percentage motility and normal morphology was seen in subfertile subjects, especially with varicocele. Highest spermatozoal DNA fragmentation was observed in varicocele‐positive subjects as compared with varicocele‐negative subjects and healthy fertile controls. Significant negative correlation was seen between spermatozoal DNA fragmentation and concentration (r = ?0.310), motility (r = ?0.328) normal morphology, WHO method (r = ?0.221) and Tygerberg strict criteria (r = ?0.180) in the varicocele‐positive subfertile subjects. In conclusion, this study suggests existence of a negative relationship between spermatozoal DNA fragmentation and semen quality in varicocele‐positive subfertile subjects.     

A global research agenda for family planning: results of an exercise for setting research priorities

Objective

To develop a global research agenda that will guide investment in effective interventions to satisfy the large unmet need for modern methods of family planning.

Methods

In a global survey, experts on contraception were invited to identify and rank the types of research that would be needed – and the knowledge gaps that would have to be filled – to reduce the unmet need for family planning in the next decade. The experts were then asked to score the research on a given topic in terms of the likelihood of its leading to an intervention that would: (i) be deliverable, affordable and sustainable; (ii) substantially reduce the unmet need for contraceptives; (iii) be effective and efficient in improving health systems; (iv) be ethically implemented; and (v) improve equity in the target population. The overall scores were then ranked.

Findings

Most of the topics that received the 15 highest scores fell into three categories: implementation of policies in family planning; the integration of services to address barriers to contraceptive use; and interventions targeted at underserved groups, such as adolescents.

Conclusion

Experts on contraception gave top priority ranking to research on improving the implementation and integration of health services and on strengthening the health systems supporting family planning services. The results of the exercise may help decision-makers, researchers and funding agencies to develop a clear and focused approach to satisfying the global need for family planning and reach the target set by the Family Planning 2020 initiative.     

Multiple, large sialoliths of the submandibular gland duct: a case report

This paper reviews the major clinical and radiographic features of sialoliths and illustrates these with an unusual case of multiple sialoliths within the submandibular gland duct. The differential diagnosis of other calcific structures both within and outside the salivary gland that may mimic a sialolith is also presented.