Interobserver reliability of the Kellgren-Lawrence classification of degenerative knee osteoarthritis among resident physicians from the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives:</strong> To determine the interobserver reliability of the Kellgren-Lawrence classification among selected residents from departments forming the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Osteoarthritis Multidisciplinary Clinic (OAMDC).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> From each department, 3 resident physicians (n = 9) were randomly chosen and tasked to categorize 20 knee anteroposterior and lateral radiographs into KLC grades. Inter-observer reliability was assessed using Fleiss's kappa coefficient (?).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> Results show that there was 31.90% (? = 0.3190 ± 0.0228, p-value < 0.05) agreement beyond chance in KLC grading of the radiograph series among all participating residents. Sub-group analyses of interobserver reliability in terms of departmental affiliation noted a range of agreement beyond chance in KLC grading, from 10.52% (? = 0.1052 ± 0.0779, p-value < 0.05) to 56.38% (? = 0.5638 ± 0.0844, p-value < 0.05).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The findings reveal significant variability of agreement beyond chance in KLC grading, both within and among residents of UP-PGH OAMDC-participating clinical departments, which may reflect differences in training or competency and/or the documented limitations of the KLC system. Further investigation to improve diagnostic and severity assessment accuracy and uniformity in the institution is therefore warranted.</p>

Determination of the antimicrobial property of oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.) crude aqueous leaf extract against throat pathogens using broth and checkerboard dilution methods

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial property of oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus) crude leaf extract against pathogens that infect the throat, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans using the broth and checkerboard dilution methods.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study employed an experimental study design using broth dilution method for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against Candida albicans ATCC 14053 of P. amboinicus crude extract (PA extract). Checkerboard dilution method was then used for determination of the synergy between PA extract and the standard antimicrobials.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> In vitro growth inhibition of S. pyogenes (MIC 0.13 g/mL) and C. albicans (MIC 0.03 g/mL) was exhibited by the PA extract. The highest concentration of PA extract used in this study was not sufficient to demonstrate bactericidal and fungicidal activity (MBC >0.25 g/mL, MFC >0.25 g/mL). Results of checkerboard dilution method revealed that PA extract when combined with either penicillin (for S. pyogenes) or nystatin (for C. albicans) demonstrated indifference.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The crude extract of Plectranthus amboinicus has the capability to inhibit the growth of both S. pyogenes and C. albicans. This demonstrates its potential use in the treatment of throat infections caused by these organisms.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key Words:</strong> Plectranthus amboinicus, oregano, antimicrobial, throat infections, herbal medicine</p>