Sex determination is one of the basic components in victim identification. This study aims to ascertain the sex of an individual from burnt teeth samples exposed at different temperature and time through nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the amelogenin (AMEL) sex marker, to calculate the specificity and sensitivity, and to compare with previous relevant studies. A total of 17 teeth samples was subjected to burning at different temperatures ranging from 100°C to 500°C, at 2 to 10 minutes. The whole tooth was used for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction by phenol-chloroform method. All samples were quantified for DNA concentration and then analyzed with nested PCR using two pairs of AMEL primer and results of sex typing were recorded. Out of 17 samples, genomic DNA extracted from 6 samples have concentrations ranging from 27.3 – 130.6 ng/µL. Nested PCR could amplify 16 samples for AMEL gene. Sex typing using AMEL gene showed 76.47% accuracy. Sensitivity of AMEL primer was increased from 6.67% to 63.64% using nested PCR technique; specificity of both external and internal primer was reported at 100%. Nested PCR of AMEL gene proved to be a suitable method for unequivocal determination of sex from degraded DNA samples.

Background: Postoperative pain is considered the main cause of morbidity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair Objectives: This study was designed to determine whether a placebo controlled trial of intraarticular (IA) Morphine sulfate and IA Pethidine HCI would provide postoperative pain relief for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction utilizing bone patellar graft Methods: A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of 60 patients, 18-65 years, ASA I and II scheduled for ACL reconstruction were included in the study. Group I received IA Morphine sulfate 3mg (0.015 percent) solution, Group II received IA Pethidine HCI 30mg (0.15 percent) solution and Group III received IA saline 20 cc solution alone. VAS scores were obtained during the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 24th hour after surgery. Analgesic duration, rescue medication consumption, and occurrence of complications were determined Results: VAS score comparisons were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis Test and Wilcoxons Matched Pairs Signed Rank test which revealed significant differences among all groups. Analgesic duration and 24-hr rescue medication consumption were also analyzed and results also demonstrated significant differences. However, occurrence of complications was not observed in all clinical trial groups Conclusion: We conclude that IA morphine and IA Pethidine HCI have analgesic effects. IA Pethidine HCI has less analgesic effects as compared to IA morphine sulfate. IA morphine sulfate has the longest analgesic duration and lastly, that IA Morphine sulfate and IA Pethidine HCI offer a well tolerated postoperative pain control with no evidence of complications. (Author)
Human ; ANALGESICS ; MORPHINE ; ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT

Leiomyoma of the urinary bladder is not often encountered, occurring in only 0.43% of all bladder tumors. Among the known cases, patients usually present with obstructive symptoms, irritative symptoms or hematuria. This is a rare case of a 50-year-old male who was incidentally diagnosed to have a bladder mass. After cystoscopy, an open partial cystectomy was done with complete resection of the bladder mass. Final histopathology and immunochemical stains confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyoma of the urinary bladder.
Leiomyoma

Background/Objective: There is a deep concern about the rapid rise in resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial agents. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which pose challenges to the medical community. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and sensitivity pattern of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in a tertiary hospital in Cebu City from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Methods: Charts of patients with MRSA growths were reviewed upon their admission. The sensitivity pattern, demographic profile and risk factors were noted. Results: Out of the 637 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA had a prevalence rate of 38.6% (n=246), while Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) had 61.4% (n=391). The prevalence rate of health-care associated MRSA was 2% (n=5). The majority of the specimens sent for culture were wound/abscess (70% of pediatric and 76% of adult patients isolates). All MRSA growths were resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin, oxacillin, cefuroxime and amikacin. Local MRSA strains were still susceptible to ciprofloxacin (82.3%), clindamycin (90.6%), erythromycin (91.5%), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (85.9%). There was no resistance to linezolid and vancomycin. Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was not isolated. The mortality rate on both pediatric and adult population was 2.1% and 4.8%, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of MRSA is increasing. Clindamycin, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole- trimethoprim and vancomycin are excellent treatment options treat MRSA.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Vancomycin

Stress in medical education has been inevitable among medical students. However, the prevalence of stress among pre-clinical and clinical medical students differed by year of study. There were several stressors reported to affect medical students. Therefore, effective coping strategies were applied to manage the stress faced by medical students. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stress, stressors and coping strategies comparing pre-clinical and clinical Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) medical students, and the associated stressors and stress among them. This was a cross-sectional study with a study population of 223 medical students. Universal sampling was used. A self-administered questionnaire which included socio-demographic characteristics, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Medical Students Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) and the Brief COPE Inventory were used in this study. The overall prevalence of stress among medical students was 48.15%. Clinical students had a higher prevalence of stress (53.73%) compared to pre-clinical students (39.02%). Year 3 students had the highest prevalence of stress (64.58%) compared to other years of study. Nearly 1 out of 2 medical students were stressed (48.15%). Academic Related Stressor ranked the highest and Acceptance was the most practiced coping strategy. The only associated stressor with stress was Academic Related Stressor.

During a survey of marine fungi from the waters surrounding Jeju Island, Korea, several Penicillium strains were isolated from seawater and marine sponges. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and RNA polymerase subunit II, four strains were identified as Penicillium antarcticum, a fungus that, to the best of our knowledge, had not been previously reported in Korea. Here, we provide detailed descriptions of the morphological characteristics and extracellular enzyme activities of the four strains.
DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; Fungi ; Korea ; Penicillium* ; Porifera ; Seawater ; Water

The polypore genus Abundisporus Ryvarden is characterized by resupinate to pileate fruitbodies with a purplish brown hymenophore, slightly thick-walled, pale yellowish and non-dextrinoid basidiospores, and causing white rot. A purple color hymenophore, an easily observable and striking character, was considered the main distinctive feature at the generic level within polypores. However, due to highly similar basidiocarp features, species identification within these purple polypores is particularly difficult. Three species of purple colored polypores have been reported in Korea (Abundisporus fuscopurpureus, A. pubertatis, and Fomitopsis rosea). Based on morphological re-examination, ecological information, and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer, we showed that previous classification was incorrect and there is only one species (A. pubertatis) in Korea. We provide a detailed description of A. pubertatis in Korea, as well as a taxonomic key to distinguish wood rot fungi with a purple hymenophore.
Classification ; Coriolaceae ; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal ; Fungi ; Korea* ; Sequence Analysis ; Strikes, Employee ; Wood

Lactifluus(Pers.) Roussel is an ectomycorrhizal genus that was recently recognized to be distinct from the genus Lactarius. To date, 226 Lactifluus species have been reported worldwide. Misidentification of Lactifluus species is common because of intraspecific morphological variation, cryptic diversity, and the limited number of taxonomic keys available. Molecular data are indispensable for species delimitation; a multilocus phylogenetic analysis showed that most Asian Lactifluus species are not conspecific with morphologically similar species present on other continents. In particular, Korea has misused European and North American Lactifluus names. In this study, we evaluated the taxonomy of Lactifluus in Korea using both morphological and multilocus molecular (ITS, nrLSU, rpb1, and rpb2) data.We examined 199 Lactifluus specimens collected between 1980 and 2016, and a total of 24 species across the four Lactifluus subgenera were identified. All Korean species are distinct and clearly separated from European and North American species. Five taxa corresponded to previously described species from Asia and the remaining 19 taxa are confirmed as new species. Herein, we provide keys to the Korean Lactifluus species within their subgenera, molecular phylogenies, a summary of diversity, and detailed description of the new species.

Lactifluus(Pers.) Roussel is an ectomycorrhizal genus that was recently recognized to be distinct from the genus Lactarius. To date, 226 Lactifluus species have been reported worldwide. Misidentification of Lactifluus species is common because of intraspecific morphological variation, cryptic diversity, and the limited number of taxonomic keys available. Molecular data are indispensable for species delimitation; a multilocus phylogenetic analysis showed that most Asian Lactifluus species are not conspecific with morphologically similar species present on other continents. In particular, Korea has misused European and North American Lactifluus names. In this study, we evaluated the taxonomy of Lactifluus in Korea using both morphological and multilocus molecular (ITS, nrLSU, rpb1, and rpb2) data.We examined 199 Lactifluus specimens collected between 1980 and 2016, and a total of 24 species across the four Lactifluus subgenera were identified. All Korean species are distinct and clearly separated from European and North American species. Five taxa corresponded to previously described species from Asia and the remaining 19 taxa are confirmed as new species. Herein, we provide keys to the Korean Lactifluus species within their subgenera, molecular phylogenies, a summary of diversity, and detailed description of the new species.

INTRODUCTION: Despite reports suggesting an association between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and pericarditis and myocarditis, detailed nationwide population-based data are sparsely available. We describe the incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis by age categories and sex after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination from a nationwide mass vaccination programme in Singapore. METHODS: The incidence of adjudicated cases of pericarditis and myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination that were reported to the vaccine safety committee between January to July 2021 was compared with the background incidence of myocarditis in Singapore. RESULTS: As of end July 2021, a total of 34 cases were reported (9 pericarditis only, 14 myocarditis only, and 11 concomitant pericarditis and myocarditis) with 7,183,889 doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine administered. Of the 9 cases of pericarditis only, all were male except one. The highest incidence of pericarditis was in males aged 12-19 years with an incidence of 1.11 cases per 100,000 doses. Of the 25 cases of myocarditis, 80% (20 cases) were male and the median age was 23 years (range 12-55 years) with 16 cases after the second dose. A higher-than-expected number of cases were seen in males aged 12-19 and 20-29 years, with incidence rates of 3.72 and 0.98 case per 100,000 doses, respectively. CONCLUSION Data from the national registry in Singapore indicate an increased incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis in younger men after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.
Adolescent ; Adult ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects* ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocarditis/etiology* ; Pericarditis/etiology* ; RNA, Messenger ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Vaccination/adverse effects* ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; Young Adult ; mRNA Vaccines