Postgraduate Medical Journal articles from May 2003

Postgraduate Medical Journal archives from May 2003

Uses and abuses of genetic engineering: ethical concerns remain central. (Genetic Engineering).
May 1, 2003... Genetic engineering refers to the techniques whereby recombinant DNA, hybrid DNA made by artificially joining pieces of DNA from different sources, is produced and utilised. The term has gradually broadened out from this earlier more stringent...

Occupation and gastric cancer. (Review).
May 1, 2003... Gastric cancer is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. There are several risk factors, with occupation emerging as one of these. There is considerable evidence that occupations in coal and tin mining, metal processing, particularly...

Management of asthma in adults: current therapy and future directions. (Review).
May 1, 2003... Asthma is increasing in prevalence worldwide and results in significant use of healthcare resources. Although most patients with asthma can be adequately treated with inhaled corticosteroids, an important number of patients require additional...

Mechanisms and management of diuretic resistance in congestive heart failure. (Review).
May 1, 2003... Diuretic drugs are used almost universally in patients with congestive heart failure, most frequently the potent loop diuretics. Despite their unproven effect on survival, their indisputable efficacy in relieving congestive symptoms makes them...

Paediatric tuberculosis. (Best Practice).
May 1, 2003... Children are important in the epidemiology of tuberculosis as a marker of recent disease transmission and a reservoir for the future. Once infected they have a higher risk of progressing to tuberculous disease. Chest radiography and tuberculin...

Latrogenic harlequin syndrome. (Images in Medicine).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe, effective, minimally invasive treatment for primary hyperhidrosis. (1) A 29 year old man with severe facial hyperhidrosis underwent an uncomplicated right thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Before operating...

Comparative study of bone mineral density, calcium, and vitamin D status in the Gujarati and white populations of Leicester. (Original Article).
May 1, 2003... Objectives: To evaluate differences in bone mineral density (BMD), calcium, and vitamin D status between the Gujarati (South Asian) and white populations resident in Leicester and to determine whether this was linked to lifestyle factors. ...

Feasibility and safety of day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a developing country. (Original Article).
May 1, 2003... Background: Although day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) has been shown to be safe in centres with adequate infrastructure for day core surgery, its feasibility and safety in developing countries has never been studied. Because of...

Assessment of basic surgical trainees: can we do more? (Original Article).
May 1, 2003... Introduction: Changes to surgical training and reduction of junior doctors' working hours has resulted in trainees spending less time in surgical specialties before becoming eligible to apply for specialist registrar posts. A high quality basic...

How valuable is ascitic cytology in the detection and management of malignancy? (Audit).
May 1, 2003... Introduction: Ascitic cytology is often requested in the early stages of ascitic assessment. A review of this practice in a major English teaching hospital is presented. Method: Patients were retrospectively identified using the...

Recurrent aseptic meningitis due to different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including rofecoxib. (Adverse Drug Reaction).
May 1, 2003... Aseptic meningitis can be caused by viruses, drugs, and connective tissue disorders. The most common drugs causing it include antibiotics like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), intravenous...

Ventricular fibrillation during electrical cardioversion of pre-excited atrial fibrillation. (Case Report).
May 1, 2003... The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can rarely present with pre-excited atrial fibrillation. In this condition the short refractory period of the accessory pathway can lead to rapid atrioventricular conduction. There is then a danger that at...

Mass in the ear canal. (ENT Medicine).(adenoid cystic carcinoma)
May 1, 2003... A 70 year old woman presented to outpatient department with a history of gradually progressive hearing loss in the right ear of one year's duration. There was no history of ear discharge, pain, tinnitus, or vertigo. Examination revealed a firm,...

A complication of hip surgery. (Hip Replacement).
May 1, 2003... A: 53 year old woman presented with right sided pleuritic chest pain four weeks after a total hip replacement. Prophylactic low molecular weight heparin had been given perioperatively for four days. Clinical examination revealed a swollen...