No abstract available.

Introduction
Whereas the numbers of new HIV infections and deaths due to AIDS have been reduced or stabilized, they remain high in sub-Saharan Africa. To further control the generalized epidemics and their consequences, countries have continued strengthening their programs to prevent new infections and deaths: however, program outcomes and impact at the national level are not well understood. The purpose of the review was to describe the country-level outcomes and impact of HIV/AIDS programs in eight sub-Saharan African countries in order to highlight future action agenda to meet universal access and policies related to Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Methods
The review used 16 of the 25 program outcome and impact indicators prescribed by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS). The review reported on the percentages accomplished by each country in their programs, categorized these figures into high (80% and higher), moderate (50-79%) and low (below 50%), and highlighted the domains in which outcomes and impact were high.
Results
Across countries, with the exception of Tanzania, programs had achieved nearly universal or universal outcomes and impact, but their coverage was limited to 2-5 program domains. Moreover, in domains with multiple target groups, such as in the provision of antiretroviral therapy and in the promotion and distribution of condom use, the programs were unable to produce high-end results for the affected populations. To further reduce their infections and deaths and to advance towards universal access and MDGs, countries must make their program outcomes and impact comprehensive and equitable.
Conclusion
Almost all national programs have high level accomplishments, but they must broaden their domain and audience coverage to further control the generalized epidemics and deaths in the eight countries. National responses must collect and analyze all the UNGASS data systematically and regularly in order to determine current HIV/AIDS knowledge and behaviors, ascertain program effects, and inform future actions.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of influenza based on clinical grounds alone may be inaccurate, because the presenting symptoms of influenza are similar to those caused by other infectious agents. We evaluate two influenza rapid tests, SD BIOLINE Influenza Ag (Standard Diagnostic inc., Yongin, Korea) and QuickVueTM Influenza Test (Quidel corporation, San Diego, USA) with influenza virus culture and RT-PCR. METHODS: The two commercially available rapid test kits, SD BIOLINE Influenza Ag and QuickVueTM Influenza Test, for influenza virus detection were evaluated with 189 respiratory specimens collected during Dec. 2004 to Nov. 2005 in Vietnam and compared with viral culture and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Overall, the SD BIOLINE Influenza Ag and QuickVueTM Influenza Test showed high sensitivities (88.4% and 82.6%, respectively) and high specificities (99.0% and 99.0%, respectively), high positive predictive value (PPV) (98.7% and 98.6%, respectively) and high negative predictive value (NPV) (91.1% and 87.2%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both SD BIOLINE Influenza Ag and QuickVueTM Influenza Test were easy to perform and showed high sensitivity and can be used as an additional tool for rapid diagnosis of influenza virus.
Diagnosis ; Gyeonggi-do ; Immunoassay* ; Influenza, Human* ; Membranes* ; Orthomyxoviridae* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Vietnam

Compliance of epileptic patients is one of the most important factors for adequate therapy. Recently, it had been shown that the variability of three serial measurement of the serum levels of antiepileptic drug(AED) may be used as an indication of the degree of compliance. Coefficient variation(CV) of serum drug levels calculated by only one AED had been used to determine the compliance in epileptic patients who took multiple AEDs. We attempted to evaluate the CV of AEDs and then find the objective clue of compliance and the compatible therapeutic planing according to CV. Ninety seven epileptic patients of outpatients department of the Gyengsang National University Hospital were entered to this study. All patients were taking medication at least for 6 months without any changes of drug regimen. Patient's information was acquired by reviewing the chart and interview with questionnaire. With these informations, we determined the compliance of the patients. Antiepileptic serum levels were measured three times at intervals of at least two to four weeks apart, and their CV was calculated. We compared the CV between the compliant and non-compliant group in each AED(phenytoin, carbamazepine , valproic acid) and three drugs in the compliant group. The mean CVs of phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproic acid in the compliant group were 18.3+/-13.0, 15.2+/-10.2 and 23.8+/-8.9, respectively(mean+/-SD). The mean of CV in the compliant and the non-compliant group were 17.9+/-10.9 and 38.8+/-27.2, respectively. The CVs of the compliant group were significantly lower than those of the non-compliant group(p<0.05). However, CVs had no significant difference between three antiepileptic drugs. This study showed that CVs of AEDs were not different between each AEDs, even though they possess different pharmacokinetic properties. Therefore, the CV of one AED can be used in determining the compliance of the epileptics who are taking multiple AEDs.
Anticonvulsants ; Carbamazepine* ; Compliance ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Phenytoin* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Valproic Acid*

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to assess the accuracy of dipyridamole stress intravenous (IV) myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) using pulse inversion harmonic imaging and PESDA in the detection of perfusion defect in the patients with coronary artery disease in comparison with dipyridamole stress Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT. METHODS: Total 46 patients (29 males, mean age 64 years old) were consecutively enrolled. Patients with prior myocardial infarction were excluded. MCE and Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT were performed at the same day during rest and after 0.56 or 0.84mg/Kg dipyridamole infusion. Continuous IV infusion of PESDA (2-5 mL/min) was administered while obtaining triggered (1:1) end-systolic apical 2, 4 chamber and long axis views. Tc-99m sestamibi was injected 3 minutes after dipyridamole. Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT images were obtained one hour later. Coronary angiography was followed within two days in all patients. Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT images were matched to the sixteen segments of left ventricle according to American Society of Echocardiography for segmental comparison. Both images were analyzed visually. Results Using coronary angiography as the standard, MCE showed overall sensitivity of 70.7%, specificity of 95.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 87.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 88.5% in the detection of coronary atherosclerosis (70% stenosis). Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT showed sensitivity of 75.6%, specificity of 98.9%, PPV of 96.8% and NPV of 90.6%. The overall concordance rate between MCE and Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT for the detection of perfusion defects was 86.9% (Cohen's kappa value 0.63) according to the coronary territory and 86.8% (Cohen's kappa value 0.55) according to segmental analysis. CONCLUSION: Dipyridamole stress IV MCE using pulse inversion harmonic imaging and PESDA is feasible and comparable to Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT in identifying significant coronary stenosis and inducible myocardial perfusion defects in the patients with coronary artery disease. MCE using pulse inversion harmonic imaging seems to be a promising modality for assessing myocardial perfusion in the patients with suspected coronary artery disease.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Dipyridamole ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans* ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Perfusion* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

No abstract available.
Alopecia* ; Minoxidil*

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to examine the impact of housemanship and cohort effect on the perceptions of what constitutes a "role model physician" between 2 cohorts of medical students.

MATERIALS & METHODSFinal year medical students of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, from the classes of 2005 (pre- and post-housemanship) and class of 2009 (pre-housemanship) responded to an anonymous 25-statement questionnaire reflecting Fones et al's 25-item characterisation of a "role model" doctor. Qualitative data was also collected on student's perceived qualities of a role model doctor.

RESULTSFor the 2005 cohort pre- and post-housemanship, only 3 of the 25 items had increased in importance post-housemanship. However, when comparing the 2005 and 2009 cohorts pre-housemanship, the latter cohort placed significantly greater importance on 12 of the 25 items. Willingness to teach was identified via qualitative analysis as a new important quality of a role model doctor for medical students.

CONCLUSIONThe importance placed on characteristics of "role model" physicians were relatively unchanged by housemanship within the same cohort but increased with time between 2 cohorts 5 years apart. This suggests that professional standards of an "ideal" doctor expected and aspired to by medical students may not be eroding as feared by the medical profession and society.

Attitude of Health Personnel ; Humans ; Mentors ; Physician's Role ; Physicians ; standards ; Singapore ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

INTRODUCTION: Infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a significant cause of concern to parents. This study seeks to describe GERD prevalence in infants, evaluate possible risk factors and assess common beliefs influencing management of GERD among Asian parents. METHODS: Mother-infant dyads in the Singapore PREconception Study of long-Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) cohort were prospectively followed from preconception to 12 months post-delivery. GERD diagnosis was ascertained through the revised Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire (I-GERQ-R) administered at 4 time points during infancy. Data on parental perceptions and lifestyle modifications were also collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of infant GERD peaked at 26.5% at age 6 weeks, decreasing to 1.1% by 12 months. Infants exclusively breastfed at 3 weeks of life had reduced odds of GERD by 1 year (adjusted odds ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.97, P=0.04). Elimination of "cold or heaty food" and "gas producing" vegetables, massaging the infant's abdomen and application of medicated oil to the infant's abdomen were quoted as major lifestyle modifications in response to GERD symptoms. CONCLUSION Prevalence of GERD in infants is highest in the first 3 months of life, and the majority outgrow it by 1 year of age. Infants exclusively breastfed at 3 weeks had reduced odds of GERD. Cultural-based changes such as elimination of "heaty or cold" food influence parental perceptions in GERD, which are unique to the Asian population. Understanding the cultural basis for parental perceptions and health-seeking behaviours is crucial in tailoring patient education appropriately for optimal management of infant GERD.
Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Parents/psychology* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Singapore/epidemiology*

Antibodies, Viral ; Antibody Formation ; BNT162 Vaccine ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Female ; Humans ; Milk, Human ; Pilot Projects ; RNA, Messenger ; Vaccination