Spirometry and regular follow-up do not improve quality of life in children or adolescents with asthma: Cluster randomized controlled trials.

Rationale: To determine whether spirometry and regular medical review improved quality of life or other outcomes in children and adolescents with asthma.

Methods: We conducted two cluster randomized controlled trials. We recruited 238 asthma patients aged between 7 and 17 years from 56 general practices in South Eastern Australia.

Particle beam radiation therapy using carbon ions and protons for oligometastatic lung tumors.

Background: A study was undertaken to analyze the efficacy and feasibility of particle beam radiation therapy (PBRT) using carbon ions and protons for the treatment of patients with oligometastatic lung tumors.

Methods: A total of 47 patients with 59 lesions who underwent PBRT for oligometastatic lung tumors between 2003 and 2011 were included in this study. Patient median age was 66 (range, 39-84) years.

Prevalence and triggers of allergic rhinitis in the United Arab Emirates.

Background And Objectives: Allergic rhinitis is a morbid condition that is frequently overlooked by patients and physicians. This type of atopy has not been adequately investigated in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based observational study was conducted in the seven Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah).

Blunt force trauma to skull with various instruments.

Deaths due to blunt force trauma to the head as a result of assault are some of the most common cases encountered by the practicing forensic pathologist. Previous studies have shown inflicting injury to the head region is one of the most effective methods of murder. The important factors that determine severity of trauma include the type of weapon used, type and site of skull fracture, intracranial haemorrhage and severity of brain injury.

Food insecurity and the metabolic syndrome among women from low income communities in Malaysia.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between household food insecurity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) among reproductive-aged women (n=625) in low income communities. The Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity instrument was utilized to assess food insecurity. Anthropometry, diet diversity, blood pressure and fasting venous blood for lipid and glucose profile were also obtained.

Suppressions of serotonin-induced increased vascular permeability and leukocyte infiltration by Bixa orellana leaf extract.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Bixa orellana (AEBO) leaves and its possible mechanisms in animal models. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was evaluated using serotonin-induced rat paw edema, increased peritoneal vascular permeability, and leukocyte infiltrations in an air-pouch model. Nitric oxide (NO), indicated by the sum of nitrites and nitrates, and vascular growth endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured in paw tissues of rats to determine their involvement in the regulation of increased permeability.

Factor Structure and Reliability of the Malay Version of the Perceived Stress Scale among Malaysian Medical Students.

Background: The Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10) is a validated and reliable instrument to measure global levels of perceived stress. This study aims to assess the internal consistency, reliability, and factor structure of the Malay version of the PSS-10 for use among medical students.

Methods: The original English version of the PSS-10 was translated and back-translated into Malay language.

Assessment of clinical competencies using clinical images and videos "CIVA".

Background: This paper describes an assessment approach of clinical competencies which widens the number of problems and tasks evaluated using videos and images.

Method: Clinical Image and Video Assessment (CIVA) was used to assess clinical reasoning and decision making of final year medical students. Forty to fifty clinical videos and images supported by rich text vignette and reviewed by subject matter experts were selected based on examination blueprints for analysis.

Is there an association between type 1 diabetes in children and gallbladder stones formation?

Background And Aims: A number of studies in adults have evaluated the prevalence of gallstones in the diabetic population and showed a significant association with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes. The pediatric literature is limited to a single small case series. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate for the presence of association between T1D in children and gallstones formation.

Peer-supported diabetes prevention program for Turkish- and arabic-speaking communities in australia.

In Australia, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are more prevalent in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities than mainstream Australians. Purpose. To develop, implement, and evaluate culturally sensitive peer-supported diabetes education program for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in high-risk middle-aged Turkish- and Arabic-speaking people.

High prevalence of celiac disease among Saudi children with type 1 diabetes: a prospective cross-sectional study.

Background: There is lack of data on prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Arabs in the Middle East. The present investigation aims to study the prevalence rate and clinical characteristics of CD among Saudi children with T1D using a combination of the most sensitive and specific screening serologic tests (anti- tissue transglutaminase antibodies IgA [anti-TTG] and ednomyseal antibodies [EMA]) and to determine the lower cut-off value of anti- anti-TTG level that best predicts CD in children with T1D.

Methods: Children with T1D following in diabetic clinic have been prospectively screened for presence of CD, over a two-year period (2008-2010), by doing anti-TTG, EMA, and total IgA.

Problem-based learning: where are we now? Guide supplement 36.3--Practical Application.

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a well used educational strategy, more frequently used in the pre-clinical phase rather than the clinical phase of medical student learning. This practical application explores its use in a Family Medicine undergraduate clerkship.

Method: The PBL application is described during a 10- week rotation in Family Medicine for final year medical students.

A meta-analysis of "hospital in the home".

Objective: To assess the effect of "hospital in the home" (HITH) services that significantly substitute for inhospital time on mortality, readmission rates, patient and carer satisfaction, and costs.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, Social Sciences Citation Index, CINAHL, EconLit, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, from the earliest date in each database to 1 February 2012.

Study Selection: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HITH care with inhospital treatment for patients aged > 16 years.

Prevalence of hepatopathy in type 1 diabetic children.

Background: The Prevalence of liver disease among diabetics has been estimated to be between 17% and 100%. Most of these data were obtained from adult studies. The aim of our study was to screen for liver disease among type 1 diabetic children.

Food variety and dietary diversity scores to understand the food-intake pattern among selected Malaysian households.

Food variety scores (FVS) and dietary diversity scores (DDS) were estimated based on foods consumed weekly by 285 Malaysian households using a food frequency questionnaire. The scoring system of FVS and DDS was based on a scale of 0-7 and 0-6 respectively. The mean household FVS and DDS was 164.

Validation of the Malaysian Coping Strategy Instrument to measure household food insecurity in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Background: Food insecurity occurs whenever people are not able to access enough food at all times for an active and healthy life or when adequate and safe food acquired by socially acceptable ways is not available.

Objective: To validate the Malaysian Coping Strategy Instrument (MCSI) to measure household food insecurity in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 301 nonpregnant, nonlactating Malay women, aged between 19 and 49 years, living in rural and urban areas.

Population prevalence of asthma and its determinants based on European Community Respiratory Health Survey in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: No population study has explored the population distribution of adult asthma in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective is to estimate asthma prevalence in general population in UAE.

Methods: Using standard European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaires and tools, this is a cross-sectional assessment of a random sample of the population in established quotas of the seven Emirates in the UAE.

Accuracy of asthma and COPD diagnosis in Australian general practice: a mixed methods study.

Background: Spirometry is the 'gold standard' for diagnosing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but is rarely used in general practice.

Aims: To compare doctor diagnoses with patient reports/spirometry and to determine doctors' perceptions of spirometry.

Methods: Patients prescribed inhaled medication were recruited from 31 practices.

Development of a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocol for rapid detection and differentiation of four cockroach vectors (group I "Dirty 22" species) responsible for food contamination and spreading of foodborne pathogens: public health importance.

Assessing the adulteration of food products and the presence of filth and extraneous materials is one of the measures that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) utilizes in implementing regulatory actions of public health importance.

Pesticide risk assessment: A study on inhalation and dermal exposure to 2,4-D and paraquat among Malaysian paddy farmers.

A cross-section analytical study was conducted to evaluate the risk of pesticide exposure to those applying the Class II pesticides 2,4-D and paraquat in the paddy-growing areas of Kerian, Perak, Malaysia. It investigated the influence of weather on exposure as well as documented health problems commonly related to pesticide exposure. Potential inhalation and dermal exposure for 140 paddy farmers (handlers of pesticides) were assessed.

Effect of spirometry and medical review on asthma control in patients in general practice: a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objective: Although guidelines for asthma emphasize the importance of spirometry for continuity and evaluation of care, it is underused in general practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of spirometry and medical review on asthma control in general practice over 12 months.

Methods: Patients were recruited through 31 practices, which were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group A had 3-monthly spirometry with medical review, Group B spirometry only before and after the trial, and Group C usual care.

Written Asthma Action Plans (WAAPs) in Melbourne general practices: a sequential mixed methods study.

Aim: To investigate ownership and perceived utility of written asthma action plans (WAAPs) in general practice.

Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 225 adults and 75 children with GP-diagnosed asthma from 31 practices. Regression models for WAAP ownership allowed for confounders and clustering by practice.

The prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety in a sample of diabetic patients in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is very prevalent in the Gulf region, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which has the second highest prevalence in the world. Factors contributing to this include changes in diet, adoption of sedentary lifestyles, and the consequent increase in rates of obesity. These changes are primarily due to rapid economic development and affluence.

A packed bed membrane reactor for production of biodiesel using activated carbon supported catalyst.

In this study, a novel continuous reactor has been developed to produce high quality methyl esters (biodiesel) from palm oil. A microporous TiO2/Al2O3 membrane was packed with potassium hydroxide catalyst supported on palm shell activated carbon. The central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the effects of reaction temperature, catalyst amount and cross flow circulation velocity on the production of biodiesel in the packed bed membrane reactor.