Quantity frequency (consumption index) versus "CAGE" in the detection of alcoholism.

The aim of this study was to compare and validate two simple methods of detecting excessive alcohol drinkers in a Malaysian hospital population. All 621 patients in the Medical, Surgical and Orthopaedic units of the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur were screened with the "CAGE" Questionnaire (a four question screening test to discriminate excessive drinkers) and two questions on the frequency and quantity of drinking called the Consumption Index. All CAGE scores had poor agreement (K = 0.37 to K = 0.1) with a psychiatric diagnosis of alcohol abuse and dependence using DSM III diagnosis. Reasons why the Consumption Index is a better screening instrument than the CAGE are discussed.     

Short-term effects of mobilisation with movement in patients with post-traumatic stiffness of the knee joint

Background

Mobilisation with movement treatment techniques have been used to increase the range of motion following pathologies associated with shoulder, elbow and ankle joints. Lack of posterior tibial glide and reflex muscle inhibition are common physical impairments in individuals with post-traumatic stiffness of the knee joint. Current evidence is lacking for the benefits of mobilisation with movement treatment techniques for the knee joint disorders.

How marital relations affect child behavior: review of recent research

The development of children over time is one of the continuing aims of psychological inquiry. Many studies have concluded that children who grew up in dysfunctional households show inconsistent development across various developmental pathways. Previous studies have consistently concluded how different family factors, such as interparents relationship, parent–child relationships, and emotional relations in families, can explain the outcomes of child behavior problems. Therefore, this paper attempts to review the empirical findings of previous studies that assess the effects of marital relations on child behavioral development by reviewing the literature that supports the association between marital relations and behavioral problems of children. Twenty-seven studies were chosen for their outcomes. This review used online databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest, Psychological and Behavioral Science collection, SAGE full-text collection in psychology, and PsycINFO. The key words used were marital relation, marital conflict, marital satisfaction, child behavior problem, and offspring behavior adjustment. All articles hypothesized that marital relation affects child adjustment and behavior outcomes directly and indirectly. Approximately all the research samples were in the developmental stage (ages 3 to 12). Various methodologies were used in the studies, but some methodological defects in the literature in some way diminished the interpretation of their findings. Results revealed that children who come from families high in conflict are at risk of psychopathological developmental problems in their adolescent years. This review adds to a large collection of literature that highlights the damaging effects of marital conflict on children. Research limitations and suggestions for future studies are outlined. The study provides a concrete basis for further research on this topic considering that married couples and child behavior problems are varied. This review can benefit married and soon-to-be married couples by revealing perceptions into the experiences of others as regards marriage problem solving.     

Relapse as histoid leprosy after receiving multidrug therapy (MDT); a report of three cases

The histoid type of leprosy has been described as occurring in lepromatous leprosy patients who relapse after many years of apparently successful dapsone monotherapy. Three patients who had received the World Health Organization-recommended regimens of multidrug therapy (WHO/MDT) relapsed as histoid leprosy 12-15 years after completion of treatment. In one patient, through mouse foot pad studies, the bacilli were found to be sensitive to rifampin and clofazimine and resistant to dapsone. In the other two patients mouse foot pad studies were inconclusive. The patients were re-started on WHO/MDT. Two patients took regular treatment and improved, both clinically and bacteriologically. One patient was irregular in treatment, and 1 year after re-starting WHO/MDT nodules were still present although the bacterial index had fallen slightly.     

Mitral valve repair in a developing country

Out of 454 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery, 210 (46.2%) had isolated mitral valve disease and the rest had mixed valvular disease. Repair was considered for 393 (86.6%) patients but was feasible in only 269 (59.3%) valves. Commissurotomy was performed in 177 (65.8%), leaflet plasty in 25(9.3%), chordal repair in 93(34.6%), papillotony 116(43.1%) and annuloplasty in 210 (78.0%) patients. The hospital mortality for the repair group was 1.49 per cent. There were 2(0.75%) late dealts. Twenty-seven (10.05%) patients underwent reoperation over 20 months, out of which four could be repaired again. Amongst the survivors, 95.5 per cent are in functional class I and II. The techniques of repairs undertaken have been described and its importance in the setting of a developing country has been highlighted.     

Sensitivity of spermidine-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae to paromomycin

Spermidine-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are much more sensitive to paromomycin than nondeficient cells, resulting in cessation of growth and cell death.