Journal Issue:
Volume: 11, No 1, Issue 41, JAN-MAR, 2013

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Issue Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

1812-2027

Journal Volume

Journal Volume
Volume: 11

Articles

Publication
Ethics in Undergraduate Medical Courses in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2013) Adhikari, RK
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Publication
Comparative Study of Microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Suspected Visceral Leishma- niasis Patients in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2013) Pandey, K; Mallik, AK; Pyakurel, S; Pun, SB; Pandey, BD
ABSTRACT Background Visceral leishmaniasis is potentially fatal protozoan diseases caused by Leishmania donovani. Nepal is an endemic region in which visceral leishmaniasis causes a major public health problem in the lowland areas that border the endemic areas of Bihar state in India. Accurate diagnosis to inform treatment is a first step in achieving the goal of visceral leishmaniasis elimination from South East Asian regions by 2020. Objective The objective of the present study was to compare between the Microcopy and polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. Methods In the present study, 236 bone marrow aspirations were collected from suspected visceral leishmaniasis patients in Janakpur Zonal Hospital, Dhanusa district, Terai region of Nepal in between 2003-2007. We evaluated bone marrow samples by microscopic examination with subsequent testing of the same sample by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis. Results Giemsa’s solution stained bone marrow slides stored for over five years were used for polymerase chain reaction amplification. The result showed that 71% were polymerase chain reaction positive and 56% were microscopic positive. Out of 104 microscopic negative bone marrow samples, 15% of samples were positive by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion Polymerase chain reaction could make a very good option for diagnosis by using less or non-invasive material from visceral leishmaniasis patients in endemic areas of Nepal. KEY WORDS Diagnosis, microscopy, Nepal, polymerase chain reaction, visceral leishmaniasis
Publication
Thyroid Hormone levels in Highlanders- A Comparison Be- tween Residents of Two Altitudes in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2013) Nepal, O; Pokhrel, BR; Khanal, K; Gyawali, P; Malik, SL; Koju, R; Kapoor, BK
ABSTRACT Background The endocrine changes related to altitude adaptation in human have attracted physiologists around the globe for long. A number of high altitude studies to detect the physiological changes have been performed now and then. But, the study to see the hormonal changes to compare populations residing at different high altitudes is a scarce. Hence, we have performed a study in native populations of different high altitude comparing changes in thyroid hormones in western Nepal. The Jharkot population included in this study is at altitude of 3760m and Jomsom population at 2800m height from sea bed. Objective The study is to compare changes in thyroid hormones at two different high altitude natives. Methods To compare thyroid status between high altitude natives at two different altitudes a cross sectional study is performed by random sampling method. The blood sample was collected in a vacutainer from fifty eight individuals after obtaining the informed consent of participants. The blood collected from antecubital vein was centrifuged in an hour and the serum obtained was used for biochemical analysis of free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone. Results Mean free thyroxine (fT4) of Jharkot population is significantly larger (p = 0.001) than Jomsom population. Mean thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) with p = 0.597, does not indicate the difference between this two population. There is no significant difference between mean free triiodothyronine (fT3) of Jharkot and Jomsom population (p = 0.345). Conclusion The rise in free thyroid hormone at high altitude is not dependent on the thyroid stimulating hormone released from anterior pituitary. The rise in free thyroxine is found at higher altitude and no difference in fT3 level is detected in population studied at high altitudes. KEY WORDS Free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, TSH, high altitude, t-test
Publication
Inter- Relationship Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Peri- odontitis
(Kathmandu University, 2013) Rajkarnikar, J; Thomas, BS; Rao, SK
ABSTRACT Background Periodontal medicine defines a rapidly emerging branch of Periodontology focusing on establishing a strong relationship between periodontal health and systemic health. It is speculated that the major common dysregulation which links Periodontitis with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is being played by the mediators of immune inflammatory response. Objectives To determine whether there is any relationship between periodontal disease and Rheumatoid arthritis. Methods A total of 100 patients were included for the present study which was divided into two groups: one group (cases) included 50 patients attending the Department of Orthopedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal who were diagnosed of Rheumatoid arthritis. Another subject population included 50 patients as controls attending the Department of Oral Medicine, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal with age and gender matched with those of rheumatoid arthritis group. Specific measures for periodontitis included plaque index, gingival index, number of missing teeth, and radiographic alveolar bone loss scores. Measures of rheumatoid arthritis included health assessment questionaires, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Various periodontal parameters were compared between the cases and controls. Results The average alveolar bone loss was statistically more severe in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) group than in the controls although there were similar plaque index in both the groups. The gingival index was statistically higher in the RA group. The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C- Reactive Protein (CRP) levels of RA patients were also significantly associated with the severity of periodontal disease. Conclusion There was a significant association between Rheumatoid arthritis and Periodontitis which may be due to a common underlying deregulation of the inflammatory response in these individuals. KEY WORDS Periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory disease, ESR, CRP
Publication
Premarital Sex Behaviors Among College Youths of Kathmandu, Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2013) BC, GB; Basel, PL
ABSTRACT Backgroud Unhealthy premarital sex behavior leads to several health problems namely; sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Human Immune Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), unwanted pregnancies, abortions and maternal deaths. Unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions are rampant in Nepal despite introduction of legal provision for safe abortion since 2003. Lately, unsafe sex and sex without condoms and drinking before sex is increasing in trend in youth population. The primary aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with premarital sex behaviors. Objectives The main objective of the study was to identify the premarital sex behaviors and related factors among college youths in Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods Descriptive and explorative study of size 230 college youths aged between 18- 24 years. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire from February 26 to March 15, 2012. The reliability of the questionnaire was ensured by using Cronbach’s alpha. Results Late youths of age 20-24 were more likely to experience premarital sex than early youths of age 18-19 years old. Urban youths were less involved in premarital sex behavior than rural youth. Youths having negative attitudes towards premarital sex were more likely to experience premarital sex than a positive attitude. Youths who had good relationship with their parents had less premarital sex experience than youths having poor relationship with their parents. Conclusion One fifth of college youth had premarital sex experience where alcohol drinker had higher premarital sex experience than non-drinker. Youths having good peer norms were significantly less likely to experience premarital sex behaviors than youths having poor peer norms. KEY WORD Alcohol drinking, college youths, Nepal, peer norms, premarital sex

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