This is a unique feature brought to you by HealthOrchid.com, to provide you with the latest updates in Cardiology, Osteoporosis and Infectious diseases. This will include latest info in diagonosis and treatment.

	Tuberculosis & DOTS
	What is DOTS? DOTS or Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course, is a proven, cost-effective Tuberculosis (TB) treatment strategy. It is a combination of technical and managerial components, that quickly makes the infectious cases non-infectious and breaks the cycle of transmission. Using DOTS also prevents the development of drug-resistant strains of TB that are often fatal and almost 100 times more expensive to cure. ….(WHO)
	For more information on DOTS, please click on the following links: http://www.who.int/gtb/publications/whatisdots/introduction.html http://www.who.int/gtb/publications/whatisdots/summary.html To download a World Health Organization Booklet on "What is DOTS", please click on the following link: http://www.who.int/gtb/publications/whatisdots/pdf/whatisDOTS.pdf
	Controlling Tuberculosis in India
	A very important article in the New England Journal of Medicine
	A Brief History of Cesarean Section:
	Interesting write-up illustrated with a few historical drawings.
	Is Preeclampsia Influenced by Fetal Sex?
	According to a study published in the September 2002 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, there is a direct relationship between the gender of a fetus and preeclampsia. Previous studies have found a correlation between elevated hCG levels and women with preeclampsia, but none have examined the relationship to fetal sex. Researchers observed that pregnancies with male fetuses resulted in significantly higher hCG and testosterone levels in women with preeclampsia, than in women with a normal pregnancy. While testosterone levels in women with preeclampsia were significantly higher with either gender, the study found these levels to be much higher when the fetus was male. There were no significant gender differences found in uncomplicated pregnancies. The association between male fetuses and elevated hCG and testosterone levels in preeclamptic women may be the result of the effect of testosterone on the disease and/or the influence of a paternal gene, suggest researchers.
	Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)
	About 30-40 percent of all women in their 30s and 40s develop fibroids, non-cancerous growths of muscle fibers inside the uterus. No one knows what causes fibroids, and tiny ones usually cause no symptoms. But they can grow causing severe pain, heavy bleeding and infertility or pregnancy complications. Surgeons may choose to do a Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or a Myomectomy (removal of fibroids, leaving the uterus intact), as drugs can shrink fibroids only temporarily. Uterine fibroid embolization or uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a new approach to the treatment of fibroids. In this procedure, Surgeons use angiographic techniques to introduce small pellets into the arteries feeding the fibroids, thereby cutting off their blood supply. Over a period of 3 months to 1 year, the fibroids shrink. But there are conflicting views about this procedure. Studies published in the November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, raise questions about the relief provided by this method and say that contrary to public perception, UAE is not risk-free.
	http://www.fibroidworld.com/UAE.htm http://www.fibroidworld.com/MoreUAE.htm http://www.fibroidworld.com/fibroids.htm http://www.myomectomy.net/
	CDC (Center for Communicable Diseases) US, issues new hand hygiene guidelines
	New guidelines recommend incorporating alcohol-based hand-rubs to reduce infections.
	Detailed Report
	Appendix
	Antimicrobial Spectrum and Characteristics of Hand-Hygiene Antiseptic Agents
	Antimicrobial Treatment in Diabetic Women with Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
	Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common among women with diabetes, and the treatment of such infections has been recommended to prevent complications related to symptomatic urinary tract infection. A study examines the significance of such treatment in women with diabetes.
	Coronary Artery Calcification
	Pott's Puffy Tumour
	A 39-year-old presents with a forehead mass that began growing approximately three months ago, and throbbing frontal headache beginning one month ago. This case provides x-ray, intra-operative photo and computed tomography images, and discusses the surgical procedure.
	Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene: A Rare but Dreadful Complication of Sepsis
	A 31-year-old presents with malaise and dyspnea beginning three weeks earlier. This case provides photos and describes lab and test findings, patient management, complications and patient outcome.
	Pustular Eruption
	A 58-year-old presents with four-day history of productive cough, pleuritic chest pain, myalgia, weight loss and fever. This case describes the patient's clinical course in hospital and the appearance of widespread pustular eruptions. The authors discuss lab results, diagnosis, and histological findings. Photographs and comments are provided.
	Hypothyroidism Mimicking Intra-abdominal Malignancy
	A 74-year-old presents with increasing abdominal swelling, exertional dyspnoea, lethargy, anorexia and gross abdominal ascites. This case discusses provisional diagnosis, test results and final diagnosis, as well as patient management and outcome.
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	This page was last modified on November 29, 2002