Differences in femoral morphology among the Orientals and Caucasians: a comparative study using plain radiographs.

The purpose of this study was to identify the differences in femoral dimensions among Caucasian and Oriental populations. A total of 268 femora were collected from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Firstly, the dimensional parameters for measuring femur were identified. These were initially measured on bone specimens to determine the methodology, followed by measuring the same parameter on plane radiographs of the same bone specimen using a board, and digitized with the aim of verifying the repeatability and reliability of the data. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, paired students t test and Pearson's correlation analysis. The results revealed that Caucasian femora are significantly larger in maximum bone length (BL), head-neck length (HNL), lesser trochanter width and the total width of the distal epiphysis (Wdf). The Beijing femora were found to be the longest and the Japanese femora constituted the shortest bone lengths and smallest angle alpha among the Oriental populations. A strong correlation was observed between Wdf and HD, HNL, Wmc and Wlc in all the populations; however, correlation between Wdf and BL was mild. The angle alpha showed no correlation with BL. This study generated a large database of femoral geometry, which may help pharmaceutical companies to design orthopedic implants for Oriental populations.

Growth Retardation Of Chick Embryo Exposed To A Low Dose Of Electromagnetic Waves.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to explore the effects of low dose of the nonionizing (REW) emitted by a mobile phone on the development of chick embryo. METHODS: one hundred and twenty chick fertilized eggs were equally divided into a control and an exposed group. Sixty fertilized eggs were placed in an egg incubator with a mobile phone (SAR US: 1.10W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg body) in silent mode having vibration disable mode. Mobile was called for a total of 20 minutes in 24 hours. Twenty embryos each were sacrificed at day 5, 10 and 15, mortality, wet body weight, head to rump length, eye diameter and morphological changes were noted. The control group, 60 eggs were incubated in the same conditions, having removed the phone. RESULTS: No mortality was noted. The experimental group exposed to REW showed subcutaneous haemorrhagic areas and significant growth retardation at day 10 as evidence by smaller eye diameter, wet weight and CR length than the control group. There were no significant growth differences at either day 5 or at day 15. CONCLUSIONS: Electromagnetic waves emitted from mobile phones even though for a very short duration of 20 minutes per day have affected the growth of the chick embryo at day 10 of incubation, Hence exposure of these waves are not 100% safe.

Four month intensive teaching of anatomy: an acceptable foundation for the clinical years.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine whether medical students' recall of anatomy is lost when the student reaches clinical years, and whether a four month teaching of Anatomy in the pre-clinical years had any impact. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, using a short answer type paper consisting of eight questions in anatomy was administered randomly to 5th, 6th and 7th year medical students at Oman Medical College, Sultanate of Oman. These questions were further sub-divided into reinforced clinically oriented gross anatomy questions and not-reinforced gross anatomy questions taken from the topics that were covered during the pre-clinical year. The reinforced questions were taken from topics taught by clinicians during the clinical rotations. RESULTS: Review of the overall scores showed a sharp decline of anatomy recall one year after the anatomy course. Average scores for the students in years 6 and 7 (clinical years) for the reinforced questions were significantly higher than the not-reinforced questions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there was a decline of anatomy recall taught in a four-month intensive teaching course during the pre-clinical years, however, adequate knowledge in anatomy has been stored in the memory and reinforcement during clinical exposure enhances memory recall.

Hydroxyapatite-coated total knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a short-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of cementless hydroxyapatite-coated total knee prosthesis in rheumatoid patients. DESIGN: Analytical. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: University of Yamanashi Hospital, Japan, from October 1999 to September 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty total knee arthroplasties using HA-coated Scorpio Superflex CR and Delta 7000 series were performed in 17 rheumatoid patients. Pre and postoperative results were compared using JOA scores. RESULTS: Male: female ratio was 16:1, average age was 67 years and mean duration of follow-up was two years. JOA scores improved significantly (p<0.05) postoperatively from an average of 37 to 80. Varus and valgus angular deformities improved significantly and 90% of the knees had alignment between zero and 5 degrees of valgus angulation with an average tibiofemoral angle (FTA) of 172. The radiographic findings revealed no radiolucent lines at two years follow-up. Distal femur osteolysis was not observed. CONCLUSION: The clinical results were excellent at 2-year follow-up, which are in agreement with other reports using hydroxyapatite-coated knee prosthesis.