Psychometric Properties of Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool and Self-Management Behaviours Among Malaysian Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Osteoporosis is a major growing public health problem and it is clear that much needs to be done to bridge the gap between patients and practitioners. However, the educator must have a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching and learning that are done. Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool (OKT) provides an important strategy for healthcare professionals to start early intervention for patients who are at risk of osteoporosis. The aims of this study were to translate and examine the psychometric properties of the Malaysian version of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool (OKT-M) among 250 type 2 diabetes patients and to assess factors that affect diabetic patients’ osteoporosis knowledge. The OKT English version was translated and validated using the internationally accepted and recommended methodology. The sensitivity and specificity of OKT-M was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The face and content validity showed acceptable results. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, mean difficulty factor and discriminatory power values were 0.72, 0.83, 0.47 ± 0.16 and 0.96, respectively. The cut-off point of the OKT-M to predict osteoporosis/osteopenia was 14 with optimal sensitivity (84.1 %) and specificity (85.5 %). Regression analysis revealed that health belief, self-efficacy and some demographic data had an impact on the OKT-M. The findings of this validation study indicate that the OKT-M is a reliable and valid tool with good psychometric properties in the Malaysian setting. The OKT-M is an appropriate tool for application in clinical setting to identify patients need for a bone health-promoting intervention regarding lifestyle behaviour changes.     

Effects of dietary saturated,monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in diabetic rats*

The effects of altering the type of dietary fat on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were investigated in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats fed non‐purified diets containing corn oil, olive oil, cod‐liver oil, sheep tallow and lard. After 32 days of experimental feeding, plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined. Body weights and food intake were also measured. In neither animal group did the type of fat in the diet affect significantly the plasma levels of lipids and lipoproteins and their calculated ratios, and plasma glucose, body weight change or accumulative food intakes. In all studied diabetic rats, significant correlations were observed between body weight change and the following plasma variables: total cholesterol level (r = —0.37, P < 0.03), low density lipoprotein cholesterol level (r = —0.38, P<0.03) and triglycéride concentration (r = —0.36, P < 0.04). A significant positive correlation (r = 0.60, P < 0.0003) was also found between plasma levels of glucose and triglycérides. No significant correlations were noticed between accumulative food intakes and any of the studied variables. It is concluded that, in uncontrolled hyperglycemia in diabetes, the type of fat in the diet exerts little or no influence on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.     

Nutritional status of schoolgirls in Isfahan,Iran: Anthropometric and hematological measurements

Weights, heights and other anthropometric measurements are presented for seven year old schoolgirls belonging to different socioeconomic groups in Iran. It was found that measurements of the children of professional people were indistinguishable from internationally accepted standards. The measurements of girls in the lower socioeconomic strata were lower. Hematological measurements indicated lack of anemia in any of the children. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed in relation to previously published reports of nutritional problems in Iran.     

Psychological Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence Experienced by Jordanian Working Women

This study aimed at investigating psychological health problems experienced by working women as a result of their experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). One hundred one working women participated in the study. Results indicated that nearly half of the participants reported partner violence. Compared with nonabused women, abused women showed significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms (t (78) = ?3.4, p = .001) and stress (t (93) = ?4.8, p < .0001), while self-esteem did not differ significantly between the two groups. Acknowledgment of this problem and early recognition of the victims may result in improving the health of working women in Jordan.     

Cardiac blood-pool scintigraphy in rats and hamsters: comparison of five radiopharmaceuticals and three pinhole collimator apertures.

Preclinical evaluation of cardiac drugs may require evaluation of cardiac function in intact animals. To optimize the quality of radionuclide measurements of ventricular function in small animals, a comparison was made of gated blood-pool scans recorded with five blood-pool radiopharmaceuticals (99mTc-labeled human polyclonal IgG, 99mTc-human serum albumin labeled by two methods, and red blood cells radiolabeled with 99mTc via in vivo and in vitro methods) in rats and three pinhole apertures in hamsters. The quality of the radiopharmaceuticals was evaluated by comparing count density ratios (LV/BACKGROUND and LV/LIVER) and ejection fractions recorded with each agent. The edge definition of the left ventricle and count rate performance of the 1-, 2-, and 3-mm apertures was evaluated in hamsters. In general, the images obtained with the radiolabeled cells were superior to those obtained with the labeled proteins and no significant differences between the protein preparations were detected. Left ventricular ejection fractions calculated with all five radiopharmaceuticals were not significantly different. The best quality images were obtained with the 1-mm pinhole collimator. Ejection fraction and acquisition time were inversely related to aperture size. A good compromise between resolution and sensitivity was obtained with the 2-mm pinhole collimator.     

Emergency coronary artery bypass surgery after intracoronary thrombolysis for evolving myocardial infarction.

Sixteen patients underwent emergency coronary artery bypass surgery immediately after intracoronary streptokinase infusion for acute evolving myocardial infarction. Of these, 11 patients had 70% residual stenosis in the recanalised vessel, and in five thrombolysis was unsuccessful. There were no hospital deaths. All the patients sustained myocardial necrosis, the peak activity of creatine phosphokinase correlating with the time to reperfusion. Chest tube drainage (mean 960 ml) was significantly higher than for control patients but did not correlate with the total dosage of streptokinase. No patients had further myocardial infarction or developed recurrent angina. Selected patients may benefit from coronary bypass surgery after intracoronary streptokinase infusion. If necessary this may be performed immediately with low mortality and morbidity.