Innholdsfortegnelse for Volume 3 Issue 7/8 i Aster Medical Journal (AMJ)

As we enter the third year of the COVID-19, international medical community is deep into discussion on how to prevent future pandemics. The findings and recommendations of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response has been reviewed by the Special Session of the World Health Assembly in November 2021. The panel detected flaws at each phase of the COVID-19 response, from readiness to detection and vigilance, both in the initial and the continued response. The preparedness was suboptimal and the international warning systems including the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanisms were not robust which led to fast spread of SARS-CoV-2. The worldwide and countrywide reactions failed to avert social and economic crisis. Inequities were intensified, as demonstrated by maldistribution of life saving equipment, oxygen and vaccines. The panel concluded…

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Aster MIMS Hospital, Kottakkal, Kerala, India. Corresponding author: DR Muhammad Hassan MBBS, MS-ORTHO, PhD, Orthopaedics Department, Aster MIMS Hospital Kottakkal, 676503. Key words: Shaft humerus, Fracture, Plate fixation, Intramedullary nail, Operative management ABSTRACT Background: The operative management of fractures of the shaft of humerus is most commonly accomplished with the help of open plate fixation, or closed intramedullary interlocking nails. Controversy exists so as to which modality is superior to the other, hence this study was conducted with an aim to compare the functional outcomes of humeral shaft fractures treated by two procedures - closed intramedullary interlocking nailing and open plate osteosynthesis.. Materials & methods: This prospective observational study consisted of 32 participants, who were recruited to the study groups sequentially until the desired sample size…

1 Aster Specialty clinic, Department of Neurology, International city, Dubai, UAE 2 Medinova Diagnostic center, Department of Radiology, Dubai, UAEC Cerebellar strokes are one of the sinister causes of ‘acute vestibular syndrome’(AVS)1. In an emergency setting, it is crucial to differentiate between central and peripheral causes of AVS. The head impulse, nystagmus, and test of skew (HINTS) protocol helps in differentiating between the two2. Stroke at some specific locations can present with a positive head impulse test (HIT)3, and signs such as gaze-evoked nystagmus (with fixation) or skew deviation can be absent. In such a scenario, other central signs can help to differentiate a central from a peripheral cause. We are presenting a case wherein the HINTS score favoured a peripheral lesion, but other central signs, including centripetal nystagmus without…

Drawing upon his own experience from the OR and the lab, a leading neurosurgeon and neuroscientist applies his cutting-edge research and findings to everyday life, offering readers expert insights and advice for achieving peak performance, improved memory, enhanced creativity, and beyond. This engrossing journey through science and medicine brings together key areas of the author’s expertise—in surgery and science, cranial structure and the conscious mind—to explain the bigger picture of brain health and rejuvenation. With engrossing stories from the OR and the lab, a leading neurosurgeon and neuroscientist explores the cutting-edge science that can be applied to everyday life for peak performance, improved memory, enhanced creativity, and much more. From the operating room, where he performs some of the riskiest surgeries around, to the lab, where he works on leading…

This is my maiden editorial. To be an editor of a scientific journal is itself a challenging task, and that too, amidst a busy clinical practice. I am fully conscious of the commitment delivered by my predecessors in this office, in curating each edition of the Aster Medical Journal – they have identified good science, and shared it with the scientific communities in a responsible way. The outstanding job they have done over the years have set a standard of excellence that is difficult to improve upon. Their dedication has transformed an essentially in-house journal into a journal of the highest quality, with engaging articles, wide acceptance, and an appreciative readership. I put on record my gratitude for their entrusting me with this legacy. As we cross two years and…

a Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Aster DM Healthcare, Al Qusais, Dubai, The United Arab Emirates b Department of Psychology, Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Dubai, The United Arab Emirates c Depart of Social Services, Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Dubai, The United Arab Emirates Corresponding author Dr. Vivek Mundada, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Aster DM Healthcare, Medcare Women and Children Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Email: vivek.mundada@medcarehospital.com Keywords: COVID-19; Lockdown; Children; Neurodisability ABSTRACT Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown imposed have affected most of us, including children with complex care needs. Because of various reasons including changed routine and social isolation, the physical and psychological health of these children have been affected. Method: This was an observational study with the objective of understanding and…

1 Department of Pathology, Aster Hospital, Muscat, Oman. 2 Department of Internal Medicine and ICU, Aster Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Key Words Compound sickle cell β thalassemia, chronic anaemia, sickle cell disease, haemoglobin electrophoresis, Hb S, Hb F, delayed diagnosis, Oman. Abbreviations Hb S-sickle haemoglobin; Hb A-normal adult haemoglobin; Hb F-foetal haemoglobin; SCD-sickle cell disease; MCVmean corpuscular volume; MCH-mean corpuscular haemoglobin; MCHC-mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration; RDW-red cell distribution width; RBC-red blood cell. ABSTRACT Sickle cell diseases are generally diagnosed in infancy or early childhood, with very few cases being undiagnosed until early adult life. Moreover, with a high percentage of Hb S in the blood, the patients present with variety of manifestations related to the disease. We present a rare case of a woman with minimal symptoms and no diagnosis of…

Dengue, chikungunya, malaria made notifiable diseases under Epidemic Diseases Act in India Vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya and malaria have been made notifiable diseases under the Epidemic Diseases Act, according to an official notification. The notification makes it compulsory for all hospitals to provide information to the government about any such case that they receive. On the basis of the data provided by the hospitals, areas where the vector-borne diseases are spreading will be identified and declared as ‘infected’ or ‘threatened’. The notification also said that legal action will be taken against individuals or institutions found not following adequate measures or not informing about the cases to the authorities. The national capital has seen a surge in dengue cases. Delhi has reported over 1,000 cases of dengue this year, with…

Q: Many experts have said they expect COVID-19 to become an endemic disease. How does a disease go from being acute to endemic? What factors shape the transition to endemicity? What’s a likely timeline for COVID-19 to become endemic? A: The expectation that COVID-19 will become endemic essentially means that the pandemic will not end with the virus disappearing; instead, the optimistic view is that enough people will gain immune protection from vaccination and from natural infection such that there will be less transmission and much less COVID-19-related hospitalization and death, even as the virus continues to circulate. The expected continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 stands in contrast with the first round of SARS in 2003 and with the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2014, when public health measures…

1 3rd Year Medical Student, Mohammed Bin Rashid University, MBRU, Dubai, UAE 2 Family Medicine, Medcare Medical Centre Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE 3 Nutritionist and Consultant Endocrinology, AIMS Sugar Hospital, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Pakistan 4 School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Abstract Diabetes is a known cause of premature death, disability, morbidity and increased health-system costs. There is high prevalence of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to that of people without diabetes. Objective: To determine the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in adults with type 2 diabetes and without diabetes. Methods: A questionnaire-based descriptive study was carried out at AIMS Sugar Hospital, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Pakistan. We used PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires for data collection. Results: A total of 1157 subjects were interviewed face…

1 Specialist, medical microbiology, Aster Medinova Diagnostic Centre, Burdubai 2 Specialist, Ear Nose and Throat, Aster Hospital, Mankhool 3 Microbiology technologist, Aster Medinova Diagnostic Centre, Burdubai Abstract: Over the past few decades, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) has become increasingly defined. Rhinosinusitis cases caused by Scedosporium spp. are not very common. So far, very few such cases have been reported worldwide1-5. We report a case of AFRS by Scedosporium spp. in an immunocompetent female. The patient underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and remains on regular follow-up, showing positive signs of recovery. Keywords: Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, Scedosporium apiospermum, functional endoscopic sinus surgery INTRODUCTION Scedosporium apiospermum is a ubiquitous fungus. The clinical importance of this fungus is mostly seen with immunocompromised hosts and rarely in immunocompetent patients. It can present with a…

1 Specialist Physician (Intensivist), Aster Al Raffah Hospital, Muscat, Oman. 2 Specialist General Surgeon, Aster Al Raffah Hospital, Muscat, Oman. 3 Specialist Anaesthesiologist, Aster Al Raffah Hospital, Muscat, Oman. BACKGROUND Negative pressure pulmonary oedema (NPPE) is no doubt a rare and life-threatening complication following general anaesthesia in mostly otherwise healthy individuals. It has an incidence of 0.05-0.1% of general anaesthesia cases with tracheal intubation1. An undiagnosed NPPE carries a risk of around 40% mortality2. Typically it is witnessed immediately after extubation (76%) or during the initial airway management (26%) in patients with head and neck tumours, Ludwig angina or laryngospasm. It can follow elective general anaesthesia after intubation while the patient is on a ventilator. However, rarely, as in our case, the onset is delayed. Our patient developed cough and…

1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Dept of Paediatrics & Neonatology, Aster Hospital, UAE CASE PRESENTATION Our case presented at 2 days of life to the emergency department, with one episode of fever, poor oral intake, reduced activity and vomiting. The infant was born by ventouse-assisted vaginal delivery at 38 weeks gestation, with birth weight 2.77 kg, without any complications. The mother had an uneventful antenatal course, and both of the parents were asymptomatic. The baby was discharged home within 24 hours of life, and was active and feeding well at home according to the parents. The following day, the baby presented with the above symptoms. The physical examination showed that the baby was febrile and lethargic. There was reduced responsiveness, with decreased tone and sluggish reflexes, suggestive of encephalopathy. The anterior fontanelle was normal,…

The five senses through which human beings perceive and experience the world around them are well known. The internal mechanisms inside the human body through which we become aware of, and respond to, light, sound, smell and taste have been fairly well-understood for several decades. The understanding of how we sense through touch – the perception of hot or cold, squeeze or strain or the feeling of physical pain – eluded scientists for long. Until David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian, working independently in the United States, made a series of discoveries in the late 1990s and early 2000s to figure out the touch detectors in our body and the mechanism through which they communicate with the nervous system to identify and respond to a particular touch. For their ground-breaking research,…