Reliable and Sensitive Nested PCR for the Detection of Chlamydia in Sputum

Chlamydia are Gram-negative, intracellular pathogens colonizing epithelial mucosa. They cause primarily atypical pneumonia and have recently been associated with chronic diseases. Diagnostics relies almost exclusively on serological methods; PCR tests are used rarely because in patients with positive ELISA, it is nearly impossible to identify chlamydial DNA. This paradox is associated with DNA degradation in sputum samples, low abundance, and low sensitivity of PCR systems. In a newly designed and validated “nested” PCR (NPCR) assay, it was possible to amplify DNA of Chlamydia known to infect humans in 31% samples. The reliability of the assay was confirmed by DNA sequencing, and all PCR products belonged exclusively to the Chlamydiales, mainly recognized as Chlamydia pneumoniae. Three samples were related to Ca. Rhabdochlamydia porcellionis and Ca. Renichlamydia lutjani, which infect arthropods. In one case, samples were taken from sick individual, indicating the potential as a human pathogen.

A PROSPECTIVE, OPEN-LABEL, OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF SULPHUR IN CLINICAL PRACTICE.

Sulphur is such a complete Homoeopathic medicine that it is somewhat difcult to tell where to begin. Sulphur seems to contain a likeness of all the sickness of men and a beginner on reading over the proving of Sulphur might naturally think that he would need no other remedy, as the image of all sicknesses seems to be contained in Sulphur. Aim: To study the symptoms of Sulphur in clinical practice and identifying its true totality after obtaining results. Objectives: Ÿ To verify the symptoms of Sulphur in clinical practice. Ÿ To restore the health of the sick individual. Study design : Ÿ Prospective Ÿ Observational Ÿ Open-label Inclusion criteria : Ÿ Patients in all age group Ÿ Both gender Material & Methods: In this study 30 cases were selected from the OPDs of Government Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Bhopal. Case taking was done for each case as instructed by Dr. Hahnemann. Medicine was selected after analysis/evaluation of symptoms and forming the prescribing totality. Help of computer repertorization was also taken by using RADAR-synthesis repertory. Follow-up was done as per the need in each case; three consecutive follow-ups are studied for further observation. For outcome assessment 'Patient Global assessment Scale' was used to get the data for analysis. Results: The results have shown that maximum number of cases has shown moderate improvement with the treatment that is 60%, and 27% of cases has shown marked improvement, only 4 cases were recorded as mild improvement. There is no case which has shown no signicant improvement. Conclusion : A group of mental generals, physical generals and particular symptoms of Sulphur have been emerged in this study, based on repetition in many patients.

Essence of Bach Flower Remedies

Flower therapy is a gift of nature to the mankind. Flowers have the power to heal the body at physical, mental and spiritual level. Humans of all ages are drawn to flowers like a moth to a flame. These flowers in vibrant colors touch our spirits. They add colors to the life, bringing abundant joy and happiness. Flowers carry specific healing energy information which when given for a particular ailment will align the vibrations within the organism bringing balance in an individual and harmony of mind, body and spirit. With each dose taken the energy signature of the flower will assist in healing the body. This new method of therapy was discovered by Edward Bach, a doctor who discovered that flowers and plants have the power to soothe and stir the soul. It was a completely different healing method which he decided to name it as Bach Flower Therapy. And so, it became a complementary and alternative system of healing the sick individual. Flower therapy is the administration of essence that is obtained from flower by boiling or by exposing them to the sunshine. These are then administered orally to calm or enhance the particular emotional state. It is simple, safe, easily administered, without any side effects, and given in a standard dose.

Influenza and influenza vaccination in children

Influenza is a disease with a major impact on public health due to epidemic and pandemic developments, but also through severe forms of illness that frequently cause complications and deaths in people at high risk. But flu is also a disease that ”costs” the sick individual and the community in which he lives and works. An important step in controlling influenza in children would be the vaccination of small children in the community, a measure that can be sustained by reducing spending on illness, complications and admissions.

身體倫理視域下現代醫學模式的哲學反思與重構——對孫慕義先生〈身體〉一文的呼應與商榷

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract in English only.Sun Muyi’s article provides illuminating views and arguments regarding the proper model of medicine. From Sun’s perspective, the bio-psycho-social model of medicine retains traces of body-mind dualism. It differs from Michel Foucault’s view of the body, which is one of phenomenological holism. That view, as Sun sees it, constitutes a comprehensive philosophical reflection on the modern bio-psycho-social medical model, providing an objective understanding of the unity of body and mind. Sun argues that a religious dimension is inevitably embedded in this objective understanding when establishing a body ethics model of contemporary medicine. This commentary agrees that Sun’s view provides useful reflections on the construction of a proper model of medicine. It is right that we should go beyond the bio-psycho-social medical model to pay more attention to the sick individual him or herself and to strengthen doctor-patient communication regarding the body and human dignity. However, it is also contended that the body ethics model of medicine should constitute a criticism of religious medical models and resist any religious zeal being applied to the study of medical ethics.DOWNLOAD HISTORY | This article has been downloaded 77 times in Digital Commons before migrating into this platform.

The opinion of patients with COPD: the process of becoming chronically sick

Many earlier studies have contributed to a general understanding of the symptoms and signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet very little is known about the transition from a healthy to a chronically sick individual. The scope of this study was to understand how people live with their chronic illness, using Grounded Theory¹. Twenty-two participants with COPD were interviewed. Findings revealed "the basic social process" of becoming sick with COPD: The significance of living with COPD; Stages of becoming a sick individual; Strategies for management of the process used by participants. The conclusion reached is that understanding the process of "becoming sick" from the person's perspective assists nurses to develop personalized interventions with individuals suffering from COPD, focussing on the subject of care.

Benessere tra differenze e disuguaglianze di genere in salute

Up to now, in the traditional biomedical paradigm the terms "sex" and "gender" have either been used synonymously and the insertion of gender among the determining elements of conditions of wellbeing/disease has been difficult, and obstructed by disciplinary rigidities that retarded the acceptance of an approach which had already been largely found to be valid in other areas of research. The effected simplification demonstrated its limitations in describing the theme of health; but if, on the one hand, there has been a growing awareness of a subject which can in no way be considered "neutral", on the other hand there continues to be insufficient attention, both in theoretical analysis and in empirical research, given to female differences. The article is intended to support that the sick individual is a person, with his/her genetic heritage, his/her own cultural acquisitions and personal history, and own surrounding life context; but these and similar factors have not traditionally been taken into consideration by official medicine and welfare systems, despite a hoped-for socio-health integration.

Well-being: between gender inequalities and health

Up to now, in the traditional biomedical paradigm the terms "sex" and "gender" have either been used synonymously and the insertion of gender among the determining elements of conditions of wellbeing/disease has been difficult, and obstructed by disciplinary rigidities that retarded the acceptance of an approach which had already been largely found to be valid in other areas of research. The effected simplification demonstrated its limitations in describing the theme of health; but if, on the one hand, there has been a growing awareness of a subject which can in no way be considered "neutral", on the other hand there continues to be insufficient attention, both in theoretical analysis and in empirical research, given to female differences. The article is intended to support that the sick individual is a person, with his/her genetic heritage, his/her own cultural acquisitions and personal history, and own surrounding life context; but these and similar factors have not traditionally been taken into consideration by official medicine and welfare systems, despite a hoped-for socio-health integration.