AMJ

This paper discusses the various methods and the materials for the fabrication of active artificial facial muscles. The primary use for these will be the reanimation of paralysed or atrophied muscles in sufferers of non-recoverable unilateral facial paralysis.

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This paper analyses the  results of voluntary HIV testing and therapeutic interventions carried out to reduce the perinatal transmission at a tertiary hospital located in a rural area of Maharashtra, India. HIV seroprevalence among the pregnant population is reported to be declining steadily. More women are availing the facilities of Integrated Counselling and Training Centre. The authors conclude that integration of PPTCT (Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission) and RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme) has improved the uptake of services. Free Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) for seropositives will help in controlling the disease progression and may reduce vertical transmission.

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This study provides information on the morphology and topography of nutrient foramina in lower limb long bones. The double foramina were more common in femur and rare in the tibia and fibula. The foramina of the femur and tibia were commonly observed at their upper part, whereas in the fibula they were present on the lower part. This information may be helpful to surgeons.

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The findings of this study demonstrate that it is possible for patients’ hospital chart covers to be contaminated with Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) even though there was no genetic similarity to the current patient strain. In this regard, the study reveals that patient charts may have an important role in spreading VRE.

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Inter-subject variability in the dimensions of cricoid cartilages was observed in this review of cadavers. The large difference in almost all sizes and shapes of the cricoid cartilage makes it difficult to standardise the rigid stents used in these organs. Endotracheal tubes of the appropriate size should therefore be based on the measurements of individual patients. Clinicians should therefore be aware of morphological variations as they are of fundamental clinical importance.

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Students enrolling into the MBBS programme at College of Medicine in Gulf Medical University, UAE, join at the average age of 17–19 years. They come from multi-ethnic backgrounds with varied social experience and cultural exposure, influencing the personal strengths of an individual and therefore the intrinsic component of resilience differently. This study reports factors that might assist or hamper them from coping with the stress of an academic programme. It aimed to identify groups with low resilience who may need to receive special attention in the preceptor programme for entry year students.

Picuture by Apple's Eye Studios

The authors conclude that the available data suggests there is no significant difference in mortality at 28 days between patients treated with dopamine or noradrenaline as the first line vasopressor in septic shock. However, results from a small number of studies indicate that dopamine is associated with more arrhythmic events. Therefore, noradrenaline may be preferred over dopamine as the first line vasopressor in septic shock to avoid adverse cardiovascular events.

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This study from Canada was undertaken to improve the performance of a Chemotherapy Treatment Unit by increasing the throughput and reducing the average patient’s waiting time. In order to achieve this objective, a scheduling template has been built. The authors report that after implementing the new scheduling template, 22.5% more patients could be served.

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Needle stick injury among healthcare workers of a tertiary care centre in Haryana, India; Organised terrorism : An emerging barrier for public health. 

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The handbook has been compiled from a variety of sources and in certain instances the text does not flow smoothly. The handbook can serve as a useful introduction to this important topic for an interested reader. The book has been well produced and designed. Information on how and where to obtain copies of the handbook would be useful.

Picture by Michelle Meiklejohn