Australasian Medical Journal
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Yolk sac tumor: what are the particularities? A case report
We report the case of a 25-year-old girl admitted for management of an abdomino-pelvic mass. Radiological and biological findings were in favour of a malignant ovarian secretory tumor. While insisting on fertility preservation, unilateral adnexectomy combined with chemotherapy was the appropriate treatmen
Thank you note
It gives me great pleasure to present to you the latest version of 2024. Since its founding in 2008, the Australasian Medical Journal has published academic, systematic research findings twelve times a year. Original research, reviews, case reports, case studies, letters to the editor, commentary, and opinions were among the many article types included in each issue
Association of Body Mass Index With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Adult Population in Ksa: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) stands as a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia stemming from anomalies in insulin secretion, insulin action, or a combination thereof. Its global prevalence has soared, posing substantial public health ramifications. This scenario holds for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where the prevalence of DM has surged to a critical juncture, warranting heightened attention as a paramount health challenge. In this milieu, the identification of robust markers conducive to early detection and preventive interventions for DM is a matter of paramount significance. One such marker of potential relevance is the Body Mass Index (BMI), a metric ubiquitously deployed to gauge an individual's weight status Methods: A cross-sectional study design will be employed to investigate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among the adult population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study will be conducted within various urban and rural settings across different regions of KSA, aiming for a representative geographic distribution. The study population will comprise adults aged 18 years and older residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multistage stratified random sampling method will be used. Firstly, distinct geographical regions will be chosen as strata. Then, within each stratum, random sampling will be performed to select specific cities, neighborhoods, and households. From these households, eligible individuals will be invited to participate. Individuals aged 18 years and older, regardless of gender, who are willing to participate and provide informed consent will be eligible for inclusion. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions affecting BMI and T2DM status will be excluded. Data will be collected through structured interviews. Information on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and dietary habits will be gathered through face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference) will be obtained using standardized procedures. The data collection instruments will include a questionnaire encompassing demographic and medical history sections, lifestyle assessment, and dietary intake. Standardized instruments will be used for anthropometric measurements to ensure consistency. The questionnaire will undergo expert review and pilot testing to enhance its validity. Anthropometric measurements will be taken by trained professionals using calibrated equipment to ensure reliability. Pre-established protocols will be followed for both data collection and measurement procedures. Results: The researchers obtained results and information from 808 adults collected from various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used. There was no significant difference between the number of males and females in the sample, as the number of males reached 407, representing 50.4%. The average age in the study was 40 years. There was a statistical significance between gender and cumulative blood sugar. The normal blood sugar level was the most common in the study at 69%, followed by those with diabetes at 21.28% Conclusion: The most common values that affect type 2 diabetes mellitus among the adult population in KSA were BMI followed by blood pressure, family history, number of medications, family history, and commitment to taking medications
The Impact of Healthy Lifestyle Index on Hypertension among School Going Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background: High blood pressure during childhood and adolescence increases the risk of hypertension (HTN) in adulthood. Lifestyle factors including salt consumption, fruits and vegetable consumption, smoking status, alcohol consumption and sleeping duration is associated with blood pressure levels. ‘ Aims and objectives: Thus the aim of our study was to assess the relation between healthy lifestyle index composed of five modifiable lifestyle factors (body mass index, physical activity, fruit intake, extra salt consumption and sleeping duration) and prevalence of HTN among adolescent girls. Methodology: The present cross sectional study was conducted among female students aged 12-18 years. Height, weight and blood pressure were recorded. Information related to their age, dietary habit including fruit intake and consumption of salt which is added in food items in dining table, daily physical activity and sleeping duration was obtained from self-administered questionnaires. Healthy life style index (HLI) was calculated from 5 modifiable life style factors considering high risk factor as ‘0’ and low risk factor as ‘1’ giving a composite score ranging from 0 to 5. We classified the healthy life style index into three category: 0-2 as low; 3 as medium and 4-5 as high. SBP and/or DBP > 95th percentile in children below 13 years and 130/80 or above in adolescent 13 years or older was considered as HTN. Results are described as mean values + standard deviations (SD). Healthy life style index (low: 0-2; medium: 3; high: 4-5) and risk of HTN were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The significance level of the tests were considered at a level of 0.05. Results: 18% participants were hypertensive. Significant correlation was obtained between hypertension and all tested life style factors. Magnitude of correlation was higher between HLI and blood pressure than correlation between individual lifestyle factor and blood pressure. Among tested lifestyle factors fruit intake, physical activity and sleeping duration was inversely associated with blood pressure where as direct association was obtained between blood pressure and salt consumption as well as BMI. Considering low HLI as reference group odd ratio significantly low in medium HLI (OR: 13.370; 95% CI: 7.191 to 21.279; p 95th percentile, avoid fruit consumption, consumption of extra salt, insufficient physical activity and inadequate sleeping duration. Conclusion: keep away salt from dining table and include fruit item in daily diet should be practiced in everyday life to minimize risk of hypertension. Maintenance of ideal body weight along with sufficient physical activity and adequate sleep is recommended as a healthy habit to minimize the risk of hypertension
Anatomy and Physiology of Brain
The human brain is the most complex organ in a human's body. A nerve center controlling any thought processes, coordinating muscular actions as well as processing sensory information, makes it work. It connects it with the rest of its areas, trillions of synapses, and the rest with about 86 billion neurons through complex networks. This review entails some simple physiological brain features that include functional domains, neurochemical signaling, and structural structure. The three major macro-regions utilized for unique functions include the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brain stem. Higher-order cognitive functions like language, logic, memory, and visual processing are performed by the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes of the cerebral cortex. The brain stem controls autonomic activities, breathing, and heart beating. The cerebellum coordinates for performance in motor and balance functions. Neurotransmitters are released at synapses to allow the transmission of impulses between neurons, and neurotransmission is a vital physiological process. Above all, very important neurotransmitters control operations at the neurons' side. These are simple reflexes and complex actions using glutamate as the excitatory neurotransmitter and gamma-amino butyric acid, or GABA, as the inhibitory neurotransmitter. These neurotransmitters are mainly involved with regulatory functions such as regulation of reward mechanisms and mood, besides neuropeptides and neuro- modulators, like serotonin and dopamine. It depends upon neu- r o plasticity, wherein the brain can reconfigure itself because of new connections between the neurons. Injury, environment, experience, and more modulate the plastic and versatile ability of this particular system. BBB is a protective interface regulating the chemical flux from circulation into the brain to maintain homeostasis. The brain learns and responds to stimuli after some physiological interactions. Therefore, cognitive functions continue through life. Knowing about brain physiology is known to be useful for a comprehension of solutions to neurological problems and therapeutic approaches. The fact being so, research effort, therefore, will continue into the mysteries of activities of the brain to unveil the basic mechanisms underlying alertness, emotion, and consciousness
Editor’s Note
We are thrilled to present the eleventh issue of AMJ for 2024, showcasing a diverse collection of original research papers, case studies, and review articles. This edition also highlights notable contributions made throughout the yea
Evaluation of Orthodontic Treatment Need Among Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Objective: To assess the orthodontic treatment needs among the Saudi population through a cross-sectional study, providing a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence and factors influencing treatment needs. Methods: This research employs a cross-sectional study design to assess the orthodontic treatment needs among the Saudi population. Cross-sectional studies provide a snapshot of the population at a given point in time and are suitable for determining the prevalence of a specific condition or treatment need in a defined population. Results: The study included 480 participants. The most frequent age among them was 18-28 years (n= 199, 41.5%) followed by 29-239 years (n= 191, 39.8%). The most frequent gender among study participants was Male (n= 297, 61.9%) followed by Female (n= 183, 28.1%). The most frequent nationality among study participants was Saudi (n= 450, 93.8%) followed by non-Saudi (n= 30, 6.3%). Participants were asked if they think they need orthodontics. There were 194 participants not need it (40.4%), followed by 151 maybe with (31.5%), and 135 participants think definitely needed it (28.1%). Conclusion: Study results showed that most of the study participants are from the university according to their educational level. The most common nationality was Saudi. Most of them were male. Most of the participants think they don’t need orthodontics. In addition, most of the study participants had good social connections
Role of Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) in Electrical Burns
Aim of this case report is to assess the role of in management of Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) in non healing ulcer due to electrical burns. Clinical examination of the non healing ulcer before and after use Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) was done
Revolutionizing Healthcare: Bridging the Gap between Medical Sciences Education and Healthcare Delivery
Improving the quality of health services is importance. One potent solution to achieve this goal is the integration of medical sciences education into the healthcare system. By fostering collaboration among medical sciences educators, healthcare providers, and policymakers, we can guarantee that students are equipped with the essential skills and knowledge required to deliver impeccable care to patients(1,2) . In this article, we have addressed three important discussions regarding the integration of medical science education: 1) the various actors and stakeholders, which are: Medical Science Education Specialists, Healthcare Providers, Patients, Policymakers, and Students. 2) key priorities, which include: Health Education to the Community, Changes in Educational Policies, Improvement of Medical Education Quality, Development of Educational Technologies, Creation of a Space for Knowledge and Experience Exchange, Increased Collaboration with Other Countries, and Evaluation and Continuous Improvement of Educational Programs 3) and challenges that are: Fear of Change, Structural Changes, Investment, and Coordination