STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study. PURPOSE: To characterize the pattern of injury, describe the current clinical management, and determine the outcomes in traumatic spine injury (TSI) patients presenting to a major government hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There is a paucity of literature on epidemiology or current clinical practices for TSIs in Cambodia. The findings from this study can thus serve as a valuable resource for future progress in treating TSIs in low-income countries. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study of TSI patients admitted to Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Demographics, cause of spinal injury, spinal level of injury, surgical procedures and techniques, complications, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty patients were admitted with TSI between October 2013 and June 2014. Falls from heights were the most common cause of TSI, followed by road traffic accidents. 78% of the admitted patients underwent at least one surgical procedure. Without intraoperative imaging, 4 patients (6%) had wrong level surgery, and 1 patient (2%) had misplacement of pedicle screws. Sacral decubitus ulcers were the most common non-surgically related complication. Antibiotics were administered to >90% of patients. There were no in-hospital mortalities. Of the 60 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, 32% (19/60) showed improvement in their ASIA grade at the time of discharge, and 52% (31/60) showed no change. At follow-up, 32% (19/60) of SCI patients reported improvement, and 8% (5/60) reported no change. However, 36 SCI patients (60%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Despite technological limitations, outcomes of TSI patients in Cambodia appear favorable with evidence of clinical improvement and low mortality.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Asia ; Cambodia* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Epidemiology* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Global Health ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Mortality ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Pedicle Screws ; Pressure Ulcer ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Injuries ; Spine*

OBJECTIVES: To appraise the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the management of established dry socket in terms of pain, inflammation, and wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients with established alveolar osteitis were studied to determine the efficacy of PRF and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) for pain control, inflammation reduction, and wound healing. Patients were randomly allocated to Group A (PRF) or Group B (ZOE). Patients were examined on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th postoperative day and evaluated for pain using visual analogue scale scores, inflammation with a gingival index score, and wound healing through a determination of the number of bony walls exposed. RESULTS: Group A showed better results in terms of pain remission, control of inflammation, and wound healing compared to Group B. Results between groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION PRF is a better alternative than ZOE for the effective management of alveolar osteitis.

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editorial Board.The Editorial Board consulted with the KAMJE (Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors) about ‘Imalas’ matter of the publication and concluded as following:The Paper A is an article on the study of pain, inflammation and formation of granulation tissue using platelet rich fibrin (PRF) for dry socket treatment after tooth extraction. This study was conducted on 100 patients at Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Research Center, Moradabad, from September 2014 to March 2016. The Paper B is a research based on the same conditions as Paper A. This study was conducted on 100 patients using PRF and 100 patients using zinc oxide eugenol, from August 2014 to December 2017. The study was held at the Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre (KDCRC), Moradabad. The clinical factors studied in above two articles are the same, and the pain scale in Fig. 3 in Paper A is almost identical to the Fig. 2, Group A in Paper B; and Fig. 5 in Paper A is also same as Fig. 4, Group A in Paper B. Both papers are judged to have the overlapping publication in the similar period and the patient, and it is considered intentional not to cite Paper A in Paper B. Therefore, Paper B is believed to be a significant double publication. For this reason, the Editorial Board decided to retracted this article and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

OBJECTIVES: To appraise the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the management of established dry socket in terms of pain, inflammation, and wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients with established alveolar osteitis were studied to determine the efficacy of PRF and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) for pain control, inflammation reduction, and wound healing. Patients were randomly allocated to Group A (PRF) or Group B (ZOE). Patients were examined on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th postoperative day and evaluated for pain using visual analogue scale scores, inflammation with a gingival index score, and wound healing through a determination of the number of bony walls exposed. RESULTS: Group A showed better results in terms of pain remission, control of inflammation, and wound healing compared to Group B. Results between groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PRF is a better alternative than ZOE for the effective management of alveolar osteitis.
Dry Socket ; Eugenol ; Fibrin ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Periodontal Index ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries ; Zinc Oxide ; Zinc

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editorial Board.The Editorial Board consulted with the KAMJE (Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors) about ‘Imalas’ matter of the publication and concluded as following:The Paper A is an article on the study of pain, inflammation and formation of granulation tissue using platelet rich fibrin (PRF) for dry socket treatment after tooth extraction. This study was conducted on 100 patients at Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Research Center, Moradabad, from September 2014 to March 2016. The Paper B is a research based on the same conditions as Paper A. This study was conducted on 100 patients using PRF and 100 patients using zinc oxide eugenol, from August 2014 to December 2017. The study was held at the Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre (KDCRC), Moradabad. The clinical factors studied in above two articles are the same, and the pain scale in Fig. 3 in Paper A is almost identical to the Fig. 2, Group A in Paper B; and Fig. 5 in Paper A is also same as Fig. 4, Group A in Paper B. Both papers are judged to have the overlapping publication in the similar period and the patient, and it is considered intentional not to cite Paper A in Paper B. Therefore, Paper B is believed to be a significant double publication. For this reason, the Editorial Board decided to retracted this article and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

OBJECTIVE: This article investigates subjects aged 55 to 65 from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database to broaden our understanding of early-onset (EO) cognitive impairment using neuroimaging and genetics biomarkers. METHODS: Nine of the subjects had EO-AD (Alzheimer's disease) and 27 had EO-MCI (mild cognitive impairment). The 15 most important neuroimaging markers were extracted with the Global Shape Analysis (GSA) Pipeline workflow. The 20 most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were chosen and were associated with specific neuroimaging biomarkers. RESULTS: We identified associations between the neuroimaging phenotypes and genotypes for a total of 36 subjects. Our results for all the subjects taken together showed the most significant associations between rs7718456 and L_hippocampus (volume), and between rs7718456 and R_hippocampus (volume). For the 27 MCI subjects, we found the most significant associations between rs6446443 and R_superior_frontal_gyrus (volume), and between rs17029131 and L_Precuneus (volume). For the nine AD subjects, we found the most significant associations between rs16964473 and L_rectus gyrus (surface area), and between rs12972537 and L_rectus_gyrus (surface area). CONCLUSION: We observed significant correlations between the SNPs and the neuroimaging phenotypes in the 36 EO subjects in terms of neuroimaging genetics. However, larger sample sizes are needed to ensure that the effects will be detectable for a reasonable false-positive error rate using the GSA and Plink Pipeline workflows.
Alzheimer Disease* ; Biomarkers ; Brain* ; Genetics ; Genotype ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Neuroimaging ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sample Size

Small cell carcinoma associated with ulcerative colitis is a rare malignancy of the colon, so we report here on a case of small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the large bowel. A 60-yr-old woman had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about 10 years previously, and she was then continuously treated with 5-ASA. Colonoscopy was being done every two years for cancer surveillance. The last colonoscopy was done 16 months previously. At that time, colonoscopic finding was mild left side colitis. She was hospitalized because of severe abdominal pain and acute constipation that developed 2 weeks previously. During the colonoscopic examination, an obstructive mass was noted on the rectum. Pathology revealed small cell carcinoma. NSE (neuron specific enolase) and Synaptohpysin were strongly positive. Chromogranin and Cytokeratin were focally positive to a weak degree. So, the patients received a Hartmann's operation (T-colostomy). The mass had grossly invaded the adjacent peritoneum and serosa. Therefore, only the mass was removed. She then received chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan for 2 cycles. She achieved a stable state 2 months after the operation. Only a few cases of colorectal SCC associated with ulcerative colitis have been reported, and its etiology remains unknown. Thus, we report here on a small cell carcinoma arising from ulcerative colitis.
Abdominal Pain ; Camptothecin ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Cisplatin ; Colitis ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Constipation ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Peritoneum ; Rectum ; Serous Membrane ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: It has long been observed globally that the extent to which developing countries can achieve health targets depends on their capacity to generate, harness, and apply science and technology (S&T). Beyond the health sector, S&T contributes to development by providing a solid foundation for education, infrastructure, and economic progress. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) suggests a set of fundamental elements for an ideal S&T environment: knowledge generators, producers, infrastructures, and the policy instruments.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Through document and secondary data review guided by the UNCTAD fundamental elements, this paper aimed to 1) provide an overview of the S&T policies in the country, 2) assess the country's S&T status, 3) identify gaps and challenges, and 4) provide recommendations to strengthen the S&T environment in the country.

RESULTS: The country's set of policies in S&T has succeeded in attracting businesses, nurturing good governance, and applying necessary regulatory mechanisms that offers protection and incentives to innovation. While performance in Education & Research has improved, spending on research, patent applications, and journal publications lags regionally and globally. The country's university-industry collaboration has been in decline since 2015. Between 2013 to 2015, innovations strongly enabled changes in business and organizational models. Data show that the country has been devoting increasing percentage of its GDP to Gross Capital Formation. Conversely, logistics performance has been decreasing. The country's score for information and communication technology has been increasing since 2013. Since 2014, the density of newly registered business has remained stagnant.

CONCLUSION: Policies implemented through the years in the Philippines have managed to balance strengthening infrastructure capacity while increasing translation and uptake of new knowledge and technologies by enterprises. The country's S&T performance has remained largely stagnant despite the availability of human capital. The Philippines has devoted low funding to research and development, indicating the low priority that it has for S&T. This is manifested in the low research output of the country, in the form of patents and publications, that lags both regionally and globally. The availability of quality infrastructure is a requirement for efficient work of researchers and facilitates adaption of new technologies by enterprises. However, these developments must be coupled with good logistical processes to meet the demands of researchers and the industry

Objective: As part of the thrust towards Universal Health Care, the Philippines has enhanced health insurance coverage for rehabilitation with recent introductions of benefits for disabilities in children, prostheses, and orthoses. The project aimed to develop a functionality-based framework to guide comprehensive benefits for rehabilitation services for adult Filipinos. Methods: Scoping review was conducted to identify common rehabilitation conditions, frameworks for clinical assessment, and essential services for rehabilitation. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with targeted rehabilitation service providers and experts to validate the information collected. A unified pathway of care and essential services for the provision of rehabilitation medicine services was developed through triangulation. The study was conducted from October 2018 to September 2019, with activities done in Metro Manila. Results: The results summarized treatment pathways for four major disease categories: neurologic, musculoskeletal, chronic pain, and activities of daily living/ cardiopulmonary. Impairments were identified reflecting the principles from the International Classification of Function. Disabilities were categorized based on function: mobility, self-care, cognitive-behavioral, and communication. A unified care pathway was developed to harmonize rehabilitation assessment, management, and care. A framework to simplify financial coverage was likewise provided. The extent of management (e.g., duration of therapy) depends on the severity of the disability classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Based on this classification, essential management modalities included physiatry interventions, medications, and rehabilitation sessions, supported by outcomes evaluation. Conclusion A framework is proposed to guide the design and implementation of benefits and health insurance coverage. Awareness and application of this approach among rehabilitation practitioners and health facilities are essential steps for successful uptake and implementation of the upcoming expansion in PhilHealth coverage.
Rehabilitation ; Rehabilitation of Speech and Language Disorders ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ; Behavioral Symptoms ; Communication Disorders ; Insurance, Major Medical

The cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) plays a key role in a wide range of physiological processes and maintaining or enhancing NAD⁺ levels is an established approach to enhancing healthy aging. Recently, several classes of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) activators have been shown to increase NAD⁺ levels in vitro and in vivo and to demonstrate beneficial effects in animal models. The best validated of these compounds are structurally related to known urea-type NAMPT inhibitors, however the basis for the switch from inhibitory activity to activation is not well understood. Here we report an evaluation of the structure activity relationships of NAMPT activators by designing, synthesising and testing compounds from other NAMPT ligand chemotypes and mimetics of putative phosphoribosylated adducts of known activators. The results of these studies led us to hypothesise that these activators act via a through-water interaction in the NAMPT active site, resulting in the design of the first known urea-class NAMPT activator that does not utilise a pyridine-like warhead, which shows similar or greater activity as a NAMPT activator in biochemical and cellular assays relative to known analogues.